By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Stacy Sutton and Krista Tamplain combined to allow only two runs and three hits over four games East St. John rolled through the Grace King/Bonnabel tournament last weekend, winning four times.

But the Ladycats momentum would not carry over into Tuesday, when East St. John had to travel to face powerful district foe St. Amant, who triumphed 14-0 by the 10-run rule in five innings.

The Ladycats outscored its competition 26-2 over the weekend, flashing a powerful offense that had not scored as consistently in previous weeks.

It supported the strong pitching efforts of Tamplain and Sutton, adding up to a string of victories.

“We brought our sticks out,” said East St. John Coach Monica Hebert. “Our pitching was great, with Krista and Stacy flip flopping between games. Our defense was there was well. I’m very pleased with how we’re playing.”

The Wildcats opened up last Saturday with a 9-0 win against East Jefferson. Sutton earned the win, facing 14 batters and allowed no hits, striking out nine Warriors along the way.

Sutton went 3-for-3 with five RBIs to lead the team.

Jasmine Brown, Seymone McKinney, and Troyonne Kendrick each went 1-for-3 with an RBI.

On Saturday, Tamplain stuck out 11 and allowed only two hits as she earned the win, with East St. John downing host Grace King 9-1.

Brown hit a home run and had three RBIs. Jessica Brown was 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Tamplain had an RBI single. McKinney was 2-for-3.

Later that day, the offenses cooled, and the Wildcats pitching duo had to be at their best. Sutton and Tamplain split time and held off Ben Franklin, 2-1.

Sutton pitched two innings and allowed one hit while striking out five. But she injured her hand after being hit by a line drive, and was forced from the game.

 Tamplain entered and picked up where Sutton left off, allowing no hits and striking out seven over four innings.

McKinney doubled twice and had an RBI. Sutton was 1-for-2 with an RBI.

ESJ returned to its dominant ways in their final game, defeating Sacred Heart 6-0.

Tamplain again allowed no hits and struck out 12 while earning a win.

At the plate, Tamplain went 3-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI. McKinney, Samantha Owens and Kia Tamplain each went 1-for-3 with an RBI.

“We jumped out early in each game, and that allowed us to get the momentum from the beginning,” said Hebert.  

But once District 6-5A play started, the Wildcats struggled to put anything together. The Gators put 14 runs on the board against Tamplain on 13 hits. She struck out three and walked four.

McKinney and Tamplain managed the team’s only two hits, both singles.

“We came out and were just not ready to play,” said Hebert. “Some I think were intimidated. The thing is, it doesn’t matter who we play, we have to bring our A-game.”