By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

If the summer is meant to prepare a team for the ups and downs of games in the prep season, then both the East St. John-based Reserve Cubs and the St. Martin’s-based Airline Yankees received a crash course in their matchup on Wednesday.

Host Reserve held off a late comeback by Airline to take a 12-11 win in a five inning game that saw huge inning to inning surges by each side.

&#8220We had been struggling, so it really feels great to get a win here,” said Reserve’s Donald Goff.

Airline’s Nick Geiger and Lawrence Trunk each knocked in runs in the fifth inning to cut a three run Reserve’s lead to 12-11. But Reserve relief pitcher Brighton Trepagnier was able to notch the save, allowing no further damage.

Reserve went ahead 2-1 in the bottom half of the inning, after a two RBI single by Courtney Sentimore. Airline charged ahead after a four run second inning, 5-2, but Reserve scored two more in the bottom half to make it 5-4, after Andre Simmons scored on a wild pitch, and Goff singled to knock in a run.

A seven run 3rd inning was the big difference for the Cubs, putting them ahead 11-5.

After Reserve loaded the bases, Jarrett Johnson was hit by a pitch, tying the game at five. Raymond Anderson’s two run single made it 7-5. Johnson scored on a passed ball, and a sacrifice fly by Goff made it 9-5. Justin Howard’s two RBI single made it 11-5.

&#8220We came out the gates swinging the bats pretty well,” said Reserve Assistant Coach Jacobi Frank. &#8220Donald Goff, Courtney Sentimore, they gave us a big boost offensively.”

Airline scored two in the fourth inning to cut the lead to 11-9. But Reserve’s Steven Haniford would score on a passed ball in the bottom half for what would prove to be the game clinching run.

&#8220We can still improve,” said Simmons. &#8220We’re hitting real well, but we’ll be even better if we make some adjustments on defense. We’re growing as a team.”

Airline Coach Frank Cazeaux was the head coach at Hahnville when Reserve Coach Ryan Sims was an assistant under him. He was proud of Sims work at East St. John and with the Cubs this summer.

&#8220He’s doing a great job there. They’re teaching their kids discipline, something they’ll learn to appreciate and understand one day.”