By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

ST. JAMES – After a pair of cancellations, West St. John finally got its softball season underway, and the Lady Rams did it in style: sweeping rival St. James on its home field in a doubleheader of non-district games.

It first won a 16-14 decision in a slugfest of a five-inning game. The second game would be similarly close, a 9-7 game in favor of the Rams in a four-inning game that was called early for darkness.

West St. John had to hold off a furious St. James rally in the first game, then had to make a comeback of its own in the second.

No matter how the wins come, West St. John coach Brandon Dumas says he’ll take them.

“2-0 is definitely a good start no matter how you look at it,” said Dumas. “The girls played really well. Very happy with their effort.”

Chasity Everson had a big day at the plate, going 6-for-7 with a home run and six RBIs over the two games. That includes a 4-for-4, three RBI performance in the first game.

The Rams led 9-2 after two innings and 15-5 after three. St. James scored nine runs in the final two innings though to close the gap, though it could never take the lead.

“I thought we got a little complacent there at the end,” said Dumas. “We know we can play from behind like we did in the second game and a lot of last year. Now we need to learn how to close teams out.”

Kyla Morris and Ormoni Favorite each went 3-for-4 with an RBI.

St. James kept its momentum going, scoring four runs in the first inning of the second game.

It led 5-3 after two innings, but West St. John took control with a six-run third to go ahead 9-5.

Taj Howard was 2-for-2 with an RBI. Kori Herbert was 1-for-2 with an RBI.

Deveny Batiste earned both wins on the mound.

West St. John also accomplished a first in the program’s history: a triple play.

“First time I’ve seen one in softball,” Dumas said.