By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Townsend Homes Coach Paul Waguespack felt that he needed to challenge his players before Friday’s game at West Jefferson-based Ray Brant Nissan.

His St. Charles-based American Legion squad had gone through a rough patch in the two games prior, losing a lead late against Gulf Coast Bank and Trust (Chalmette) and losing badly to Shaw on Wednesday.

At 3-5, and needing a surge down the stretch of the season to qualify for postseason play, Waguespack implored his team to step up.

They did, in a big way.

Townsend Homes defeated Ray Brandt Nissan, 13-2, in the sixth inning due to the ten run rule. Then, they rode that momentum into Saturday, where it beat Belle Chasse-based Pivach Insurance, 10-0.

In outscoring its Second District foes 23-2 over the two days, Townsend Homes (5-5, 3-3) climbed right back into the thick of the Second District standings and the chase for the postseason.

&#8220We came out and took care of business,” Waguespack said. &#8220We played good baseball, and I was happy to see that.”

Nick Reine pitched the complete six innings of the win over Ray Brandt Nissan. He allowed only four hits, and struck out 11 batters.

&#8220He threw the ball real well,” Waguespack said.

The big inning was the second for Townsend Homes, when it scored six runs to take a sizeable lead.

Reine helped his own cause, as he had four RBIs and was a home run away from hitting for the cycle with a single, double and a triple.

Corey Reed also had four RBIs for Townsend Homes.

&#8220By winning that game, we allowed us to build on that going into Saturday,” Waguespack said. &#8220It gives you a chance to do something this summer, especially after the tough loss to (Gulf Coast Bank & Trust).”

On Saturday afternoon, Reed (1-0) notched the win. He allowed four hits and over four innings in the 10-0 victory.

Steven Duhe came on in relief in the fifth, where he struck out two.

Townsend Homes had 11 hits in the game and committed no errors.

Adam Ratliff’s two-run double was the big hit in the third inning, when Townsend Homes scored seven runs to take control of the game.

Ratliff led the way with four RBIs, going 2-for-4. D.J. Wesley went 3-for-3 in the game.

&#8220We swung the bat like we needed to,” Waguespack said. &#8220We came out ready to play. There are no easy games from here on out, this is how we need to finish.”