By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

St. Charles earned its second victory over East St. John this year on Thursday, defeating the Lady Wildcats 6-0 at East St. John.

Ashley Trosclair (4-1) earned the win, going seven innings and allowing only two hits, while striking out six batters.

The Comets(7-3) had previously defeated ESJ (1-8) on Feb. 14, 10-0.

“We played really well defensively, and it started inside the circle. Ashley pitched a really good game,” said St. Charles Coach Ty Monica. “We made some good plays in the second and third innings. I feel like we’re starting to play a little better on the defensive side.”

St. Charles led 1-0 after the second inning, when Jessie Braud’s sacrifice fly brought in Megan Musacchia.

The Comets clung to that lead until the sixth inning, when Stephanie Caporella’s triple brought two runs home to make it 3-0. Braud’s second sacrifice fly of the game brought the final run in the inning home , making it 4-0.

St. Charles would add two more runs in the top of the seventh to cap off its scoring.

Monica said that the win may not have been impressive looking, but that the Comets will certainly take it.

“We still have a long way to go, but it’s good to get a win, no matter how good it looks,” he said. “We didn’t swing the bats as well as we’d have liked, but sometimes, it comes down to what you do on your bad days that defines your team. Anyone can win on the good days, but can you on the bad ones is what you need to answer.”

On Tuesday, St. Charles fell in a 1-0 pitcher’s duel to Vandebilt.

Courtney Western (3-2) pitched all seven innings for St. Charles, allowing only one unearned run on two hits. She walked four and struck out eight.

Vandebilt (5-0) got the winning run in the sixth, as a runner scored after a close play at first base was called safe for the Terriers.

“That game is how softball is supposed to be played,” said Monica. “It was a play that could have gone either way. We didn’t take advantage of a couple of opportunities presented to us. Runners getting caught stealing, thrown out at second. Those are things that can’t happen if you want to win a nip and tuck game.”

“They’re a very successful team, and they’re not going anywhere. They’re tough.”

St. Charles defeated Assumption 3-0 and Academy of our Lady 2-0 last weekend at the St. Charles Comet Classic tournament, before losing to Riverside in the final game, 4-1 (covered in Riverside story on 9A)).