By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

St. Charles Catholic-based Townsend Homes rebounded off of a weekend loss to Jesuit-based Retif Oil last week, knocking off De La Salle-based Durr Heavy Construction, 13-0 by the 10-run rule in five innings in an American Legion game.

“We’ve been a little up and down,” said Townsend coach Paul Waguespack. “We’ve done some good and bad things this summer. But we’re improving … (On Saturday), we came out ready to play.”

Jeffrey Hall had a huge game, blasting two home runs and collecting four RBIs to lead his team to its fifth victory of the summer.

Chad McNeil went all five innings to record the shutout for Townsend Homes (5-5, 4-5). He allowed five hits and walked three while striking out five.

It was McNeil’s first start since leaving Townsend’s win over Hahnville-based Otto Candies after an inning with an injury.

“It turns out it was just a little discomfort and we were cautious. But he was fine in this one, and he threw it well,” said Waguespack.

Townsend Homes got off to a fast start when Hall led off the game with a home run. McNeil and Macky Cortez each scored in the inning to make it 3-0.

“(Hall) starts it off with a monster shot and it set the tone,” said Waguespack. “With the strength he has, you always know you have a chance to start off in a hurry.”

David Bleakley got Townsend going in the second inning with a double. Hall singled him home and Ahmani Martin doubled in Hall to push the lead to 5-0. Cortez would drive him in to make it a 6-0 Townsend lead just two innings in.

In the third, Nick Montagut singled then stole second. Dylan Gilles drove him in. Kerry Waguespack walked and Bleakley cleared the bases via a three-run home run.

With the lead at 10-0, Townsend capped its scoring in the fourth. Kameron Keller singled, then Ross Authement reached on an infield hit. The runners advanced on a throwing error, then Chris Millet hit a deep fly ball to score Keller.

Hall finished the scoring as it started, blasting a home run, this time a two-run shot to make it 13-0.

“We swung the bats real well, and we made no errors in the field which was just as key,” said Waguespack.

Townsend Homes and Valero St. Charles are currently jousting for second place in the Second District.

But with Otto Candies boasting just a single loss this summer and having wrapped up the top seed, the former teams know each will play the other in the first game of the Second District playoffs next week.

Otto Candies, meanwhile, will host East St. John-based Reserve Post 159 in the opener of the round robin, double elimination tourney.