By CALEB FREY

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – St. Charles Catholic (24-5) enjoyed a 10 run bottom half of the second inning in their 17-0 playoff win over the Sumner Cowboys (13-10).

Comets’ pitcher Michael Oncale (8-2) was credited with the win allowing one hit through five innings as the game was ended in the fifth after the 10-run rule was enforced. Cowboys’ pitcher Chase Prescott (6-4) ended up with the loss.

While St. Charles played near flawlessly, costly errors for the Cowboys combined with an offensive barrage from the Comets turned this game into a rout early on.

In the bottom of the second, second baseman James Callahan cranked a two-run shot to put the Comets up 9-0. They picked up an additional run before the inning ended, and that was all the Comets would need as they cruised to the win in their first game of the 2006 playoffs.

St. Charles shortstop Matt Heltz and catcher Chris Waguespack each homered to help out the Comets’ cause.

Comets Coach Paul Waguespack is happy to have the first playoff game out of the way and is ready to focus on game two.

&#8220You’re always nervous about the first one,” Waguespack said. &#8220Once they (Sumner) got behind, I was confident they couldn’t come back though.”

The Comets take the field again Monday at home against Oakdale. Waguespack says his boys are just taking it one game at a time.

&#8220I truly believe that we’ve got a chance. Obviously we’re in it, and we’re playing well,” Waguespack said. &#8220We’ve won 21 out of 22. We went 1-4 in Ruston, but since then we’ve played good baseball.”