By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

East St. John-based Wildcat Baseball survived a late push by St. Charles-based Townsend Homes on Friday to emerge with a 10-7 non-Legion victory at St. Charles.

Josh Brown went four innings and picked up the win for the Wildcats (2-1-1), who took their second victory over a parish rival in a week, after defeating Riverside-based Fatty’s Restaurant last Tuesday.

“He made quality pitches, really set the tone on the mound from the start,” said Wildcats Coach Ryan Sims. “When you have guys who’ll make quality pitches in big situations, then you’re usually going to prevail.”

Shane Nicholson helped lead Wildcat Baseball to the win with a triple and two RBIs. Torri Zeno was 2-for-2 with two RBIs, while Brown collected two RBIs and a double. LaBaron Sylvester and Reynaldo Young each went 2-for-5 in the game.

For Townsend, Marc Picciola led the way, going 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Nick Reine chipped two RBIs of his own.

Brady Hitt (0-1) took the loss for St. Charles.

Wildcat Baseball surged to a lead early, scoring four runs through the second and third innings. Townsend Homes responded with three runs in the fifth to cut the lead to one.

But Wildcat Baseball scored six runs combined over the sixth and seventh innings, and the 10-3 seventh inning deficit was too much for Townsend to overcome.

Sims said that the win, coupled with his team’s early success, is encouraging. But at the same time, he cautions, he isn’t jumping to any conclusions yet.

“We’re still not where we need to be. But we’re making strides,” Sims said. “I’m not overly excited yet. Really, I won’t be overly excited until next February, when everything is in place.”