By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE — East St. John had struggled in district play this season, going winless in all 6-5A games entering Wednesday’s battle with Hahnville.

But on the team’s senior day, the young Wildcats broke through against their archrivals. East St. John defeated Hahnville, 12-6, in Reserve to conclude their season with a victory.

“We were glad to send those seniors out on a good note,” said East St. John coach Ronald August. “Two seniors led us, hitting home runs. It was fitting. We played well all around, really made no errors. Just good, solid ball and it’s something we can build upon.”

Andrew Taylor was 2 for 3 with two RBIs and a home run. Courtney Freeman was 2 for 3 with a grand slam.

Freeman earned the win on the mound by gong six innings and allowing five runs on five hits. He struck out four. Hahnville (18-12) led 3-2 after two innings. The Wildcats struck big in the third though, scoring five runs including Freeman’s slam to make it 7-3.

Hahnville fired back with a pair of runs in the fourth, but the ESJ pitching would allow the tigers to cross the plate no more. ESJ(9-19) scored five runs over the fifth and sixth to close things out.

Easton Melancon led Hahnville, going 3 for 4. Daniel Arnold took the loss.

“It felt good,” said August, who finishes his first season as Wildcats’ coach. “My first district win, something we’ve been working toward. It just so happened to come on the last day of the season.”