By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

MONROE – Riverside continues to face stout competition early in its 2010 baseball campaign, most recently going on a long road trip to find it.

The Rebels posted a 1-3 mark on their trip to Monroe this past weekend, defeating Sacred Heart-Ville Platte but falling to Choudrant, Dunham and Cedar Creek.

“We learned that you can’t win games if you’re striking out,” said Riverside coach Britt Waguespack. “I thought we pitched really well in three of the games. But there was no timely hitting. We left 39 runners on base, 28 of those with less than two outs.

“The same things that cost us against St. Charles cost us again here.”

The Rebels (2-6) opened play against Sacred Heart on Friday. Sacred Heart took an early advantage by posting two runs in the top of the first inning.

But the Rebels answered with three in the second to take the lead for good.

Riverside tacked on insurance runs in the fourth and fifth innings to help pitcher Bryant Tassin earn the 5-3 victory. He went seven innings, allowing one earned run on three hits and six walks. He struck out four.

Chase Bazile went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. Dylan Martin was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Later that day, the Rebels fell to Choudrant, 4-1.

Choudrant scored two runs in each of the fifth and sixth innings to seal the win.

Ritchie Terrio took the loss, going five innings and allowing two earned runs on five hits. He struck out seven.

Jake Roussel went 1-for-3 with an RBI.

On Saturday, Dunham outpaced the Rebels in a 14-11 slugfest.

Bazile hit a grand slam in the game. Tassin went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Austin Vicknair was 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

Tate Scioneaux took the loss, lasting 1.1 innings.

Dunham scored eight runs in the first two innings.

In Riverside’s final game, Cedar Creek rallied from a 3-2 deficit to score runs in the fifth and sixth innings and capture a 4-3 victory.

Martin went the complete game and allowed one earned run on four hits and three walks. He struck out five.

Bazile went 2-for-3. Tassin was 1-for-4 with an RBI.

“We need to do a better job in situational play,” said Waguespack. “Whether it’s to do with hitting, defense, or pitching, we’ll learn to do a better job.”