By ROBERT L. LEE

RESERVE – A full seven innings was needed Monday to determine the winner between the Cretin Homes Comets and the Reserve Post 159 Wildcats. After two final scoreless innings, the Comets’ defense had maintained their one-run lead, which proved to be just enough for the 7-6 win at East St. John High School.

Both teams began with a bang, putting seven total runs on the scoreboard in the first inning alone. The Comets showed their muscle by driving in the first three runs in the top of the inning, but were answered and outdone when the Wildcats stepped up to take the lead with four runs. Both teams’ defenses picked up the slack and allowed one run each during the third inning.

The Comets broke free in the following fourth inning and sent three runners across home plate to regain the lead. The Wildcats held their composure and worked one runner in to score in the fifth inning, but could not send any further runners past the Comets’ defense.

“We were lucky we got through it,” admitted Comets’ coach Paul Waguespack.

“They (Wildcats) are competitive in all facets of the game. We just came out on top.”

Waguespack said he was pleased with his team’s opening three runs, but the stout scoring was overshadowed by their barrage of errors in the first inning. Combined with the threat of an invigorated pack of Wildcats, who were effectively pacing themselves, he admitted the Comets could have been handed a loss.

“Four errors in the first inning almost eats you alive,” he said. “We’ve got to make the plays we’re supposed to make. They (Wildcats) had a chance to win the game, but I was confident (Jeremy) Catoire would get the final out.”

The Wildcats’ threat continued until the final seconds when they placed runners on the corner bases with one only out and only the one run needed to tie the game. However, their efforts were put to an immediate halt, when a line drive to the Comets’ pitcher was caught and turned into a double play for the final two outs.

The Cretin Homes Comets sent Brad Millet up to the plate first. He saw two strikes from the Wildcats’ Greg Sentimore, before making a base hit and eventually stealing second and third bases.

Reid Owens made a base hit, allowing Millet to score. Another Comet base hit by Michael Bonura and a triple to far left field by Brandon Levet brought the Comets up 3-0. The Comets’ Trey Malain started from the mound by giving Ronald Marshall a walk. A base hit by Kenny Robertson brought Marshall across home plate, before Robertson followed suit, stealing second and third bases. Back-to-back doubles by Sentimore and Reggie Joseph tied the Comets at three and set the stage for an Alex McCollum base hit to make it 4-3.

A Brandon Levet base hit brought in the Comets’ one run of the third inning from third base. The Wildcats followed with a solo home run by Robertson to keep the 5-4 lead. With two runners on base in the fourth, Lee Kliebert doubled to center field, emptying the bases and bringing the Comets up 6-5.

A walk and a loose pitch allowed Kliebert to also cross home plate. Marshall relieved Sentimore on the mound, but couldn’t stop the Comets from scoring their seventh run. The Wildcats rotated Marshall and Patrick Millet around the bases with a bunt and walk. A line drive by Robertson and a Comet error earned the Wildcats their sixth and final run.