By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

After a trip to the 2A state regional round last season, Riverside enters 2008 with even higher expectations.

But Ascension Catholic did the same at the 1A level last year and enters with similar hopes. The Bulldogs spoiled the Rebels home opener on Thursday, winning 3-1 at Riverside.

“I was a little disappointed in how we hit the ball,” said Riverside Coach Mickey Roussel. “I thought we’d do a better job.”

Riverside mustered only two hits on the day against the Bulldogs’ pitching.

But despite that, the Rebels led 1-0 after an inning. Heidi Garcich hit a home run in the bottom of the first to put Riverside (0-1) on top, 1-0.

But Ascension Catholic answered in the second inning, scoring a run to tie the game at 1.

In the third, the Bulldogs added two more to take a 3-1 lead.

Riverside starter Cara St. Amant (0-1) went 2.2 innings and allowed three runs.

Garcich came on in relief and was able to hold Ascension Catholic scoreless the rest of the way.

But the Rebel bats found the going just as tough down the stretch.

“We started pretty sluggish,” said Roussel. “We were able to hold them to three after the change, but we couldn’t get the bat on the ball.”