By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Things unraveled early on for St. Charles Catholic Tuesday, as Holy Cross’ hot bats led to 10 runs within the first two innings en route to an 11-2 victory at Comet Field.

St. Charles’ Zack Roussel came on in relief and allowed no earned runs over 3.2 innings pitched after the initial 10-run surge, but the Comets were never able to generate a big inning to spark a comeback.

“Obviously, I was disappointed in the way we started,” St. Charles coach Wayne Stein said. “I don’t know if it was a matter of not knowing if we were going to be able to play (Tuesday, as weather was a potential factor) or what, but it unfolded real ugly for us. The one positive was we didn’t roll over after that start and act like it was going to be over in five (innings). But obviously we’re going back to the drawing board.”

Holy Cross led 3-0 entering the second inning, which the Tigers ultimately put the game away in. After Holy Cross loaded the bases, Christian Clayton smashed a double to the centerfield wall to plate two runs and make it 5-0.

That chased starter Nick Scioneaux from the game with Zach Weber coming on in relief. But cleanup hitter Tre Turner followed up with another double, collecting two RBIs and making the lead 7-0. The fourth double of the inning — including a Kyle Schexnayder shot that helped kick things off — came a batter later, when Grant Schultz hit another to the outfield to plate the eighth and ninth runs of the day. Holy Cross added one more run in the frame, scoring on a wild pitch.

SCC added a run in the second after Justin Ory singled and later scored, and SCC scored again in the fourth after Ory and Brady Neuman each got on, the latter doubling. But SCC couldn’t close any further.

The Comets will have a chance to regroup today. SCC began tournament play in Monroe Friday and are scheduled to play games at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., against North Webster and Tioga respectively.

“It was a tough sandwich game for us, coming off our tournament and with the Monroe tournament coming up,” Stein said. “You’re doing whatever you can to survive, but at the same time you don’t want to burn through your pitching with the upcoming slate.”

He said Roussel gave the Comets a chance with his relief efforts Tuesday.

“He came in and did some good work,” Stein said. “He was getting up there around 40 pitches and that’s the only reason I pulled him when I did.”

Schultz went 4 for 4 with three RBIs for Holy Cross. Clayton finished 2 for 3 with two RBIs and Tre Turner went 2 for 4 with two RBIs.

Brendon Taravella earned the win for the Tigers, going four innings and allowing two runs on three hits. He struck out two.

Newman went 2 for 3 at the plate to lead SCC.