By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE – After a sweep at the hands of St. Charles, Riverside had little time to lick its wounds with another rival on the horizon: the John Curtis Patriots, a team the Rebels have faced in the postseason in each of the last two years, each team winning once.

But Riverside is 2-for-2 in 2011. The Rebels defeated Curtis,14-9, at Curtis on Thursday and downed the Patriots, 7-3, in Reserve Tuesday.

“Anytime you get a win over Curtis, in any sport, it’s a great win,” said Riverside coach Matt White. “They’re so well-rounded and competitive in every sport … We knew after the St. Charles series that we needed some wins to make a push for playoff position and seeding. This helps our standing there. We’re about seventh now, if we can get to four then you’re looking at a few home games.”

Riverside (14-9, 2-3) made its biggest push in the fourth inning in River Ridge Thursday, scoring eight runs in the fourth inning to take a 10-3 lead.

Curtis (10-12, 3-2) cut it to 10-5 in the bottom of the inning, but Riverside scored four in the top of the sixth to take another commanding lead.

“It wasn’t the prettiest win,” said White. “We didn’t hit our spots pitching at all times, we let a bunch across. But pretty or ugly, you take a win in this spot. Early on, it looked like it would be a barnburner, but then we got the big inning.”

Dylan Martin went 3 for 5 with three RBIs. Bryant Tassin went 1 for 3 with three runs, two RBIs and a pair of walks.

Martin (3-4) earned the win, pitching the final four innings in relief of Tassin. He allowed five earned runs and struck out three.

On Tuesday, the Rebels struck first, plating three runs in the second inning and another in the fourth to take a 4-1 lead. Riverside added two more in the fourth to make it 6-1.

Austin Vicknair went 2 for 4 with an RBI and two runs. C.J. Edler was 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Tate Scioneaux went 2 for 3 with an RBI.

Scioneaux (5-1) earned the win on the mound, going 5.1 innings and striking out 10 Patriots. He allowed three earned runs.

Martin pitched the final 2.2 innings and earned a save.

“He was getting it up there in the mid to upper 80s,” said White. “He did an outstanding job for us. Then Dylan came in and did what he’s done all year.