By ROBERT L. LEE

RESERVE – The Reserve Christian School Eagles may not have won their two of three games needed to clinch the district 11-B title, but their 10-7 record has them firmly set in second place with a spot in the first round of playoffs Thursday.

The Eagles lost their chance at their first district title under new coach Wade Delaneuville, when their three-straight day of games netted only one win. In the first game Wednesday, the Eagles resumed their earlier, rained out, game with Mt. Hermon, in which the Eagles were ahead 6-3 before the second inning.

Reserve Christian built, then squandered their 11-3 lead by letting Mt. Hermon turn the tide and explode offensively for a 14-11 win. However, with two games remaining, the Eagles remained confident that they could travel to Mt. Hermon and revenge their loss. Twenty-four hours and five points later, the Eagles lost their chance at the title after Mt. Hermon edged ahead with the 3-2 win to claim first place.

“It was a mental breakdown, they got up and left the game,” said Eagles head coach Wade Delaneuville.

“Today they showed a little lack of leadership which happens sometimes, but the seniors didn’t step up.”

Delaneuville gave credit to the Yellowjackets, who all stepped up, including their pitcher, who had a rough start allowing the five runs, but stayed on the mound to keep the Eagles scoreless through the next six innings.

“Their pitcher had an excellent game, he kept us off balance,” said Delaneuville. “But Mt. Hermon put the bat on the ball and stayed focused. Fortunately we still have a shot at district. But we put ourselves in this position, now we have to show our character.”

Delaneuville said despite the “disappointing” loss, the Eagles played well.

Although their run at the title had hit the wall, the Eagles bounced back for one more day and one more game with Northlake Christian. The different opponent fielded different results, as the Eagles gained a boost of confidence and a 9-1 district victory. The final season win evened the Eagles’ district record at 3-3.

“But it doesn’t make a difference what the record is, everybody is 0-0 now,” said Delaneuville.

“We still have a tough road ahead of us, but I think we are capable of handling it. The most important thing is we’re in the dance.”

The Eagles first post-season opponent will be the Bethany Christian Lions, from East Baton Rouge. Reserve Christian played the Lions once this season in Baton Rouge and were defeated 10-4.

“Hopefully it will be a different story when we play here,” said Delaneuville.

In preparation for their battle with the Lions, Delaneuville told his players they need to be more consistent and not make the mistakes that have cost them their prior seven losses.

“We’re not giving up too many hits and we’ve only been out-hit twice in 17 games,” he explained. “We finished 10-7 because of errors and walks, that’s what’s beating us.”

Along with limiting their fielding errors, the Eagles are practicing their game plan executions and preparing to face a talented Lion pitcher. Delaneuville said he doesn’t know exactly who the Lions will place on the mound, but he said he would bet it will be one of their two aces. Matt Jackson, 3-1, is expected to lead off on the mound for the Eagles.

Although the regular season is finished, the Eagles have a chance of meeting up with Mt. Hermon yet again, should they both claw into the finals.

No matter what fate lies ahead for the Eagles, Delaneuville urged “I am proud of my boys. With two sixth graders and an eight grader, we have won 10 varsity games.”