By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

EDGARD – West St. John fell to Central Catholic Tuesday in their final regular season game, but finished District 9-1A play in style with a decisive victory over Ascension Christian last weekend.

The Rams fell 16-0 on Tuesday to the Eagles in a clash of 1A schools. But their 17-10 victory over ACHS sealed the deal on a return trip to the postseason for the Lady Rams.

“We knew we needed a win to make the playoffs,” said WSJ coach Brandon Dumas. “We’ve been playing well but we still needed to get it done. The first time we played them, we didn’t feel like we played our best game. The girls really wanted to win their way in and they came out with the right attitude.”

Taj Howard went 2 for 2 with a pair of RBIs and a stolen base for the Ram in their win. Teammate Chasity Everson went 2 for 4 with a pair of RBIs.

Elexi Bailey earned the victory on the mound for West St. John (8-11, 5-7).

It was a back and forth game early, as West St. John led 5-1 after two innings, then saw Ascension Christian fight back with three runs in the third to cut the lead to one. WSJ scored five in the bottom half of the third, but Ascension Christian scored four in the fourth inning to stay within two runs.

But from there, the Rams slammed the door, scoring seven runs over the next three innings and holding ACHS to two.

The Rams enter the postseason on a hot run, having won five of their last seven. Four of those wins have come by seven runs or more. The Rams finished fourth in District 9-1A.

“”When we come out ready to play to our potential, we can play with anyone. I’ve always believed that,” said Dumas. “If we come out and play to our best ability, who knows what can happen?”

HISTORY MAKING SWING: West St. John’s Harly Morris made some school history in the Rams’ 16-8 win over Christian Life on April 2. Her home run to left field in that game was the first to leave West St. John’s park in the history of the Rams’ program.

“We’ve had inside the park home runs, but never over the fence,” said Dumas. “The girls were real excited about it. It was a big boost, something they’d never seen before here.”

It was the first career home run for Morris, an eighth-grader.