By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

After a rough start to the season, Riverside appears to be back on track.

The Rebels took two of three games this past weekend at the Episcopal tournament, defeating host Episcopal 6-4, Sacred Heart, 9-1, and falling 14-0 to Evangel.

Although the Evangel loss was the last game of the tourney for the Rebels, Riverside Coach Britt Waguespack says his team did not leave Episcopal with a bad taste in their mouths.

“It was a successful weekend,” said Waguespack. “After tying East St. John last week, we knew we had to find a way to win some games. We did a good job this weekend, especially concerning our defense and starting pitching.”

Riverside opened the tournament on Thursday by defeating Episcopal (2-4).

The Rebels scored first, going ahead 1-0 in the second inning, and never trailed.

Each team scored two runs in the third. Riverside scored once in the sixth and twice in the seventh to take a 6-2 lead. Episcopal scored two in the bottom of the inning on a two-run home run, but couldn’t muster enough offense to take the victory.

Jade Falgoust was the winning pitcher, going six innings and allowing five hits and three earned runs. He struck out 10 batters.

Wade Delaneuville hit a triple and had two RBIs. Colby Vicknair was 2-for-3 and scored two runs. Falgoust was also 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

The Rebels outhit Episcopal 8-5. Neither team committed an error.

A huge fifth inning lifted Riverside to victory over Sacred Heart (4-2-1). After each team scored a run in the first, the teams remained deadlocked at one until Riverside busted loose for eight runs in the fifth.

After Chase Bazile, Dylan Martin and Vicknair all reached to load the bases, Remi Poirrier reached on an error that led to two runs scoring.

Delaneuville followed a Falgoust walk with one of his own, leading to a third run in the inning. Timmy Teague and Jake Roussel each had two-run hits in the inning.

“That was the type of inning we’ve been looking for all year,” said Waguespack.

Bryant Tassin pitched six strong innings on his way to the win. He allowed four hits, one earned run and struck out four.

“He pitched a hellava game for us,” said Waguespack. “He was very solid, and will continue to be very solid. It was a complete effort.”

Vicknair was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored, his second strong performance in the tournament after being inserted into the leadoff role for the first time this year.

“He was a big time spark for us,” said Waguespack.

The Evangel (5-2) game got away from Riverside early. The Eagles scored four runs in each of the first two innings, including a first inning grand slam, and the Rebels couldn’t respond. Evangel scored six runs in the fifth inning to close out the game by the 10-run rule.

“We went in feeling like we had a chance to win. Then they get down 0-2, lead off with a hit, and from there they had the momentum. We got down early, and we couldn’t fight back.”