Townsend Homes rebounds, wins two by combined 23-2 score in Second District
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, June 27, 2007
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.
“We came out and took care of business,” Waguespack said. “We 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.
“He 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.
“By winning that game, we allowed us to build on that going into Saturday,” Waguespack said. “It 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.
“We swung the bat like we needed to,” Waguespack said. “We came out ready to play. There are no easy games from here on out, this is how we need to finish.”