By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE – Riverside began its 2011 season with a dominating win over a foe in a higher classification in Vandebilt Catholic, and sparked so much momentum that the Rebels would roll all season as the top-ranked team in Class 2A.

This season, Class 5A Thibodaux sustained a similar fate to the Terriers, falling 15-2 at home to Riverside in the Rebels’ season opener.

Destin Vicknair (1-0) tossed a one-hitter and struck out 10 batters in a complete game effort. She walked two.

Katie Bailey went 3 for 3 with three doubles and three RBIs to help lead the Rebel bats. Kelsi Roussel was 3 for 5 with two doubles and three RBIs. Vicknair went 3 for 5 with two doubles and a pair of RBIs.

“I thought we came out and hit it well,” said Riverside coach Kristy Hebert, who saw her team rack up 19 hits on the day. “We were very solid with our bats, consistent throughout the whole game. I saw a lot of good things up and down the order, one through nine.”

Riverside scored six runs in the first inning and never looked back, adding three in the fourth, one in the fifth and five in the seventh and final inning.

“You always want to start off with a good win,” said Hebert. “Destin pitched well. Defensively we made a couple of errors early, but we regrouped and got it done.”

Riverside was set to take part in the St. Charles tournament, which concludes today. Yesterday, the Rebels were slated to face host and rival St. Charles – that game came after press time, but details will be in Wednesday’s edition of the L’Observateur.

“We had a really good start with our bats, and obviously that’s something we want to see continue into the St. Charles tournament,” said Hebert. “We’ll have a good test this weekend.” ¸