By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur
LAPLACE – It took Riverside a couple of innings to get rolling in its Class bi-district playoff matchup with East Beauregard Monday. But once the Rebels did, they were locked in.
Three third inning home runs propelled Riverside as it advanced to the regional round with a 10-0 win at home, closing things out in five innings by the 10-run rule.
Riverside will face the winner of No. 15 seed North Caddo and No. 18 Kinder in the regional round.
Destin Vicknair, Hailey Tassin and Madison Watson all went yard in a six-run third inning that gave the second seeded Rebels complete control against the 31st seeded Trojans.
“We were flat to begin the game. Our demeanor wasn’t where it needed to be, so I had to get into them a little and wake them up,” said Riverside coach Kristy Hebert. “Just asking, ‘Who’s gonna step up?’ Toni led off the third with a double, Destin hit the home run, and it had a trickle effect down the lineup. Everyone got on base and did their job.”
Riverside went on to score three more runs in the fourth and then one in the fifth.
Tassin finished 2 for 2 with a two-run home run and three RBIs. The sophomore first baseman has been swinging a hot bat after slamming a pair of home runs down the stretch of the regular season in wins over Vandebilt Catholic and Ursuline. Her breakout season in the middle of the senior-laden Rebels’ order has been a major boon for Riverside.
“She started off the season really up, then hit a little drought. But she’s really picked it up again in about the last third of the season,” said Kristy Hebert.
Toni Hebert went 3 for 3 at the plate for Riverside. Vicknair was one for two with her home run and two RBIs. Katie Bailey added two RBIs.
On the mound, Vicknair tossed a two-hit shutout, striking out 11 batters and walking none.
The Rebels have won nine of their last 12 games.