By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

 

LAPLACE — John Ehret-based Culicchia Neurological brought their big bats to Comet Field Monday to take on St. Charles Catholic-based Townsend Homes, and they added up to a 9-3 victory in American Legion play.

Culicchia collected 10 hits, including a trio of home runs, and its pitching allowed just five Townsend hits.

“We played well Friday in a loss, then we lay an egg today,” said Townsend Homes coach Paul Waguespack. “We’re getting them going by walking guys … walk a guy in the first, he scores. A walk and an error in the second inning, they get two.

“We didn’t play well. At the same time, give (Culicchia) credit. They’re good. They threw strikes and we really never caught a break. But you’ve got to find a way to make your own breaks.”

The big inning came in the sixth. Culicchia extended a 5-2 lead to an eight-run advantage, putting three on the board. Frankie Watts got the inning started with a solo home run to right, then Dylan Blanda added his own two-run shot to deep left two batters later.

Townsend Homes (6-6) rallied early on after falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first (on CJ Marlbrough’s RBI single) to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom half of the inning. Chad McNeil and Brandon Zimmer each scored on an error when a throw to first on a ground ball hit by Austin Weber got away and into foul territory. 

Culicchia (4-7) fired back to regain the lead in the second. Zack Wilson walked and later scored on a wild pitch to tie the game before Michael Smith’s RBI single pushed Culicchia back into a 3-2 lead.

It added to its lead with a run in each of the third and fifth innings, first on Wilson’s RBI single to deep center, then on Torin Burris’ RBI single to left that made it 5-2.

Tre Edwards’ solo shot in the seventh rounded out Culicchia’s scoring.

“We’ve been struggling all summer,” said Culicchia coach Jonathan Usey. “We’ve lost a lot of one-run games, haven’t hit that well in those games. But I’ve told these guys all summer, if you’re in that four-hole, or that three-hole, I’m sticking with you even if you’re struggling. You learn through that. And everyone really stepped it up today.”

Said Waguespack: “When they’ve got their full lineup, they’re very, very good. And we saw how good they can be.”

Connor Smith took the loss for Townsend Homes. He allowed four earned runs on five hits, three walks and two hit batters. David Bleakley, Austin Weber and Jon Brown finished the game in relief.

Townsend second baseman Kameron Keller left Monday’s game with a leg injury suffered in the sixth inning on a defensive play in the outfield. He did not return.

It was the second consecutive loss for Townsend Homes, after it fell Friday, 2-1, to Otto Candies (Hahnville).

That loss left Townsend 0-2 in its Second District division with Otto Candies and Valero-St. Charles (Destrehan). Two district games remain for Townsend, one against each rival.