By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

After easily winning its season opener at district foe Phoenix a little over a week ago, Reserve Christian lost three of its next four games, and badly needed a rebound effort.

It came at just the right time. The Eagles hosted Phoenix on Thursday in a rematch of the season opener, and outlasted its rival in a 16-13 slugfest.

While Reserve’s (3-3, 2-0) first win over Phoenix came with relative ease, a 15-0 win in three innings by the 15-run rule, Phoenix brought its bats to a wild game that wasn’t decided until the final out.

Madison Reeves (3-3) struck out two of Phoenix’s final three batters in the seventh inning to hold off the threat and preserve the victory.

“In the first game, (Phoenix) swung at a lot of bad pitches,” said Reserve Coach Michael Reeves. “This time, it was different. They hit well today.”

Reserve outhit Phoenix 11 to eight, but perhaps looming even bigger was the walk numbers between the two teams. Phoenix drew seven walks, while Reserve drew eight, and the teams combined to hit six batters.

“Our girls can hit, and we knew that,” said Coach Reeves. “We need to tighten things up on the mound.”

Phoenix enjoyed a 3-0 lead after an inning, and a 5-3 lead after two.

But Reserve surged back, scoring four in the bottom of the third and five in the fourth to make it 7-5.

From there, it was back and forth. Phoenix took a 9-7 lead, but Reserve wiped it out in the fourth with a five run inning.

Phoenix wouldn’t tie the game again.

Marcie Blanchard had three hits to go along with three RBIs and three runs scored. Megan Donnelly had two RBIs. Daysha Blount collected three hits.

“This was a very important win in that it keeps us alive,” said Coach Reeves, whose team still must face off with defending District 9-C champion Family Christian.

On Tuesday, the Eagles fell to host Crescent City, 20-5.

“That’s another reason the win Thursday was important,” Coach Reeves said. “We had to bounce back from that loss.”

He said that the Eagles Achilles’ heel, again, was the number of walks doled out.

“We hit well enough to win any game,” he said. “But the walks and the defense weren’t good on Tuesday.”

On Saturday, Reserve split a high scoring affair with Hosanna Christian (1-4), winning 11-8 in the first game, and losing the second 12-8.

Madison Reeves and Amanda Watson both pitched in each game, with Reeves earning two wins.

Reserve’s win was in question until the final inning, where Coach Reeves said defense saved the game.

“Kelly Crews made a couple of outstanding plays in that final inning to save the win for us,” he said. “They had runners on with the momentum, and she shot them down twice.”

Aimee Durapau and Madison Reeves each collected four hits in the doubleheader. Khrista Robinson had three.