By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

As Riverside prepared to open District 10-2A play this week, the Lady Rebels were riding a wave of momentum.

Throughout its pre-district schedule, the Lady Rebels had played against and scored victories over a number of upper-classification teams. On Saturday, it got a taste of a team in its own classification – a doubleheader on the road against South Beauregard.

Riverside did not disappoint, moving its record to 7-3 by sweeping the hosting Knights.

The Rebels posted wins by scores of 13-1 and 7-5, and allowed South Beauregard only five hits on the day while hammering 24 of their own.

“It was a really good trip for us,” said Riverside Coach Mickey Roussel. “It sets the tone for Tuesday (vs. Newman, district opener) and Thursday (district game at Fisher). It’s a real good start before district.”

Riverside polished the Knights off in five innings in the first game, via the 10-run rule. The Rebels scored twice in the first inning, once in the second, and twice in the third to take a 5-0 advantage.

The Rebels blew the game open in the fourth, scoring eight runs to take a 13-0 lead.

Marci Millet was 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the game. Ayla Vicknair also went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

“We emphasized swinging the bats,” said Roussel. “I was pleased at the way we swung, and at the pitches we swung at.”It was more than enough of a cushion for starter Heidi Garcich, who allowed only two hits and tallied six strikeouts in seven innings on her way to the victory.

South Beauregard (4-5) provided more of a test for Riverside in the second game of the day. After Riverside took a 2-0 first inning lead, the Knights (4-5) roared back with three runs in the second.

Riverside would score twice in the third to retake the lead, 4-3, and the teams exchanged runs in the fourth and fifth.

With the Rebels leading 6-5, the Rebels added a final insurance run in the sixth, which proved to be enough to preserve the 7-5 victory.

Millet went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Stephanie LeBlanc was 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Sarah Levin was 3-for-4.

Freshman Chelsey Stein (1-0) made her first career start and was effective, allowing only three hits and striking out four over seven innings. She allowed two earned runs.

“She pitched even better than the score indicated,” said Roussel, pointing out the three unearned runs that crossed. “It was her first start as a varsity player, and she pitched really well.”

Last Wednesday, the Rebels erased a 4-1 deficit to defeat host Chalmette, 7-4.

Riverside scored two runs in each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to finish off the Owls.

Millet (1-0) captured her first victory of the year in relief of starter Stephanie LeBlanc. She struck out two batters.

Vicknair collected two hits and two RBIs in the win. Garcich notched three hits and an RBI. Brittany Schoen had two hits and an RBI, and LeBlanc and Shea LaFountain had two hits each.

The Rebels did suffer a loss though, 6-0 to 4A power Vandebilt Catholic on Thursday.

The Terriers (8-1) scored one run in the second, two in the third and three in the fifth en route to the win.     

Garcich (4-2) took her second loss of the year.

Vandebilt pitching held Riverside to two hits, collected by Garcich and LeBlanc.

“That’s probably the best team we’ve played all year,” said Roussel. “They’re gonna compete for the state championship, as they’ve done year in and year out.

“But the encouraging thing for us is that even in the games we’ve lost, we’ve had a chance to win, with that one being the only exception. We feel good about our chances in district, and these games should have us ready.”