Wildcats commit four errors in loss to Rummel

By DAVID FOLSE II

Sports Editor

NEW ORLEANS-Errors and an inability to not allow teams to be afforded more than three outs was the achilles’ heel of the East St. John Wildcats squad throughout the 2005 season.

Wednesday night against powerhouse Rummel, it ended their season.

The Wildcats were defeated by Rummel, 6-0 at Mike Miley Stadium in the bi-district round of the Class 5A playoffs.

The loss ended the season for East St. John, who finished a tumultuous 2005 with a 20-13 record.

Perhaps the most disappointing thing was the fact that the Wildcats did not play their best baseball against the Raiders.

Senior right-hander Alex McCollum had to fight threw four Wildcat errors and seven walks of his own in his final appearance in an East St. John uniform.

Three of McCollum’s work ended up scoring in addition to Rummel pushing across four unearned runs.

After a scoreless first inning, the Raiders pushed across three runs in the second inning and then another pair of runs in the third.

Rummel finished out their scoring in the fourth inning with a single run. For the game the Raiders only managed four hits, but converted them into an all-important six runs.

McCollum (8-5) took the loss on the mound for East St. John, while Raiders starter Brent Brignac (10-0) picked up the complete-game shutout victory, allowing only five hits, walking one and striking out four.

Rummel advances to second round of the Class 5A playoffs where they will take on the winner of Mandeville and East Jefferson.

Disappointed that his team was not able to come away with the victory, acting East St. John Head Coach Ronald Barrilleaux was proud of his team’s accomplishments.

“This team really fought hard throughout the entire season,” Barrilleaux said. “I’m very proud to have been apart of this team.”