J. EDMUND BARNES

PHOTO 1: Riverside pitcher Derrick Louque puts a fastball squarely into catcher Blake Duhe’s mitt Thursday. (Photo by Chris Cox for L’Observateur). RESERVE- Riverside took an early lead over Opelousas Catholic School Thursday afternoon, driving home seven runs in the first three innings and then relying on their defense to hold off the Viking’s counterattack. Pitcher Derrick Louque (6-2) threw a shutout that saw Opelousas get only four hits. Opelousas was three up- three down in the first inning, while Riverside managed a pair of singles which put runners at the corners. B. J. Fontenberry then drove them home with a two-RBI single. The second inning was also prefunctory for the Vikings as Louque struck two out swinging while catcher Chuck Minyard grounded out to third. The bottom of the second inning saw the first of two Damien Melancon home runs, when he hit a solo shot off of Opelousas pitcher Donnie Carriere (10-4). Melancon’s biggest contribution to the Rebel’s victory was a three run blast in the third that hung in the air for an eternity before finally dropping beyond the center field wall. PHOTO 2: Riverside Rebel Damien Melancon hits a home run during Thursday’s quarterfinals against Opelousas Catholic School. (Photo by Chris Cox for L’Observateur). Melancon’s home run capped a four-run inning and concluded all scoring in the game. Intermittent rain threatened throughout the game, but play was never stopped. Riverside will play St. Frederick in the semi-fianls at Baton Rouge Episcopal on Tuesday.