By GEORGE MAHL – Sports Editor

RESERVE – When a pitcher throws a total of 87 pitches, it is almost a sure sign of victory. That, however, was not the case for Riverside Extra Inning Club pitcher Jonathan Giroir. He gave a hot performance on the mound, but Riverside bats were ice cold in a 4-0 loss to Rummel Wednesday afternoon in Reserve.

Paul Neill picked up the victory for Rummel, improving his record to 2-1.

Neill pitched four innings and gave up three hits.

Through the first three innings, Neill did walk anyone and struck out three.

The first runs of the game came in the top of the fourth. With one out, Daniel Theriot hit a line drive homerun over the leftfield fence, giving Rummel the early lead. Clean-up hitter Matt Gaudet then doubled and advanced to third on a passed ball. With one out, Steve Ashley hit a sacrifice fly that scored Gaudet from third base, making the score 2-0.

Andre Chategnier then doubled, but was stranded at second when Mike McCormack grounded out to end the inning.

In the top of the sixth with two outs, Riverside got its third run of the game.

A single from Matt Gaudet was followed by a double to Ashley to make the score 3-0. Ashley, however, was stranded at second when Chategnier grounded out to end the inning.

Thanks to two errors, Rummel was able to add another run in the inning.

An error by third baseman AJ Delaneuville allowed McCormack to reach first base. Following a sacrifice bunt, McCormack advanced to third on another error. With one out, shortstop Trey Naquin hit a sacrifice fly, making the score 4-0 Rummel.

The biggest threat from Riverside happened in the bottom of the second inning. After Nick Falgoust grounded out to start the second, Chase Emerson got a base hit and advanced to second on a steal.

David Mabile then walked and went to second on a single. However, catcher Corey Keller hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat and the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, Riverside got another runner in scoring position, but failed to cross to home plate.

Falgoust singled, advanced to second on a passed ball and went to third on a groundout from Emerson. However, he was stranded at third when Mabile flied out to end the inning.

Top hitters for Rummel were Theriot (2-3, HR, RBI) Gaudet (2-3).

The loss dropped Riverside to 5-5 in district, 6-5 overall. Riverside is scheduled to play at Chalmette tonight at 7pm