By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

The early summer schedule for St. Charles-based Townsend Homes has been a trial by fire.

Townsend had already faced two Catholic League based teams before Second District play started in American Legion. And after defeating Grace King 8-6 on Saturday in its Second District opener, the third may have been the toughest test of all: a matchup with the defending American Legion national champion, Rummel-based Nationwide Restoration at Raider Park.

Nationwide Restoratioån was victorious on Monday, 11-6, but the result did not leave Townsend Coach Paul Waguespack feeling dejected.

&#8220We had a chance to win at the end there against the national champions of last season,” Waguespack said. &#8220We just didn’t take advantage. But to be in it at the end against a team like that is a good sign.”

Townsend (2-3) made a big move in the fifth. Trailing 10-2 entering the inning, an RBI single by Grant Authement and a two RBI double by Corey Reed cut the lead to 10-5. Reed would score on an error to make it 10-6.

But Jordan Millet struck out with the bases loaded to end the threat.

&#8220It was not a good job pitching in that game,” Waguespack said. &#8220We walked 11 batters, then they added ten hits on top of that. Any time you walk 11, you aren’t doing a good job.”

But things were much brighter on Saturday. Brandon Becker went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two steals, and Jonathan Cancienne went 2-for-2 with two doubles and three RBIs in Fatty’s Restaurant’s 8-6 win over Grace King.

&#8220It was a big win, we took care of business where we had to,” Waguespack said. &#8220It was the first win in district, it sets the stage for the rest of the season. We had some chances to score more runs, but they played us tough.”

Nick Reine (1-0) started the game and went six innings before giving way to Donovan Duffy, who notched the save in the seventh.

&#8220Nick threw well. He got into a trouble spot in the fifth, but he threw strikes, and that’s the key. They weren’t pounding the ball on him.”

Townsend rode a five run second inning to a 6-1 lead, and coasted after that. After an infield hit by Matt Murphy loaded the bases, RBIs by Reed, Becker and Cancienne ran the lead up to five.

In the sixth, Marc Picciola bunted in a run, and Becker scored on a passed ball.