Rams romp to third straight win

Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 25, 2010

By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

EDGARD – The West St. John softball team began the season with three losses in five games, but some adjustments have the Rams flying high on a three-game winning streak.

It followed a 17-5 district win over Christian Life last Tuesday by topping McDonogh 35 12-11 in a non-district game on Thursday, then smashing the ball en route to a 27-7 win on Saturday over East Iberville.

“The girls have improved every game,” said West St. John coach Brandon Dumas. “We’re playing a little better defensively and we’re definitely hitting it well. We’re starting to put it together.”

Thursday’s win came in extra innings over the Roneagles, as West St. John (5-3) scored once in the bottom of the ninth after holding McDonogh 35 scoreless in the top of the frame.

Ormoni Favorite was 4-for-6 with two RBIs in the win. Deveny Batiste went 3-for-6 with two RBIs.

Dumas was also pleased at some of the defensive plays his team made, specifically that it threw out four Roneagle baserunners that were attempting to steal. In a one run game, it made all the difference.

“Those were really big plays,” said Dumas. “When the girls play up to their potential and do these kind of things, we can play with anybody.”

East Iberville led 5-2 on Saturday after an inning, but West St. John quickly swung things around from there, scoring four in the second inning before breaking down the floodgates — the Rams scored 21 runs over the next two innings, including 14 in the third, to win by the 15-run rule in four innings.

Janika Jones and Shalcey Sterling each were 3-for-5 with an RBI.

“We’ve been aggressive at the plate,” said Dumas. “We teach the girls to go up and make something happen, put the pressure on their defense. Put it in play. It’s been working out for us.”

Batiste (5-3) won both games on the mound, striking out three Saturday against East Iberville.