By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

RESERVE — New East St. John coach Matt White has ushered a wave of positive energy into the East St. John baseball program, and with it came a positive start to the season last week.

ESJ won two of its first three games in the opening week, beating West Jefferson and Grace King before a loss to Covington, the latter two games coming at the Grace King tournament.

In the team’s debut Feb. 24, Ahmani Martin and Juan Marshall led the way, each collecting two hits and two RBIs in a 10-4 victory. Marshall doubled twice.

“Everyone was glad to be 1-0,” said White, who led Riverside to the Class 2A semifinals in two of the past three seasons. “There’s no such thing as playing up when you’re 5A. You’ve just got to win. It was a good start. Our kids are really buying in.”

Phil Adams  and C.J. Turner also factored in largely, each scoring three runs and reaching base four times. Turner earned the victory on the mound, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks in four innings. He struck out seven.

Don Creecy allowed two runs and two hits in three relief innings, striking out three.

The Wildcats were aggressive on the bases, stealing 12 bases in 13 tries, led by Martin, Turner and Creecy’s 3 each.

At the Grace King tournament, the Wildcats dominated the hosts in their first matchup, winning 24-1, but fell to Covington 12-0.

Justin Schnyder earned the win on the mound for ESJ against Grace King, allowing two hits over five innings.

“We looked like world beaters one night, and the next everything went wrong,” White said. “In one big inning against Covington, in the fourth, we did a lot to hurt ourselves.”

Martin, who was an All-District performer last season, has been among the early leaders for ESJ once again.

“He brings his lunch pail and hard hat to work every day,” White said. “He’s been swinging the bat really well offensively.”

East St. John travels to play in Monroe this week for tournament action, and White hopes the road trip fosters more team camradarie and chemistry.

“It’s a chance to get to know everyone outside of your school,” he said.