By GEORGE MAHL – Sports Editor

The East St. John Wildcats used timely hitting and good pitching from starter Dominick Thomas to get a 4-3 victory over the Riverside Academy Rebels during the second day of the St. Charles Catholic Comet Classic in LaPlace.

With the score knotted up 1-1 in the top of the fifth, ESJ left-fielder Ryan Perrilloux smashed a triple scoring Thomas from first base. Perrilloux would end scoring also on a Riverside throwing error. This gave the Wildcats a 3-1 lead.

However, the Rebels responded with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. After Lee Haydel and Jordan Poirrier each got singles, an infield throwing error by the Wildcats allowed each runner to score, thus tying the game 3-3.

The go ahead run for East St. John occurred in the top of the sixth inning. After Trayvon Lilly reached first base on a walk, catcher Collis Linson hit into a fielder’s choice, which moved Lilly to second base. Alex McCollum then got up and smashed a double that scored Lilly from second base.

McCollum came in to pitch the seventh inning. He allowed one base runner, Chris Reeves, and struck out Wes Hotard to end the game.

Thomas pitched well during the six innings he worked. He gave up six hits while striking out six. He also walked six batters.

Riverside starter Billy Terrio threw five innings while giving up three runs (two of which were earned) and allowed four hits. In addition, he struck out three and walked none.

The bottom of the second saw the Rebels get on the scoreboard first. After Nick Falgoust walked and stole second, Hotard singled to center to give the Rebels a 1-0 lead. However, Thomas would end up striking out three of the five batters he faced in the inning.

The Wildcats got on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning.

After Linson grounded out to start the inning, Steve Perrilloux and McCollum each reached base safely. Perrilloux reached on a single and McCollum got on board with an error. With two outs, Thomas smashed a base hit that plated McCollum from third.