By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE – But for one disastrous inning, East St. John’s transition into District 6-5A play could have been much smoother.

The third inning doomed the Wildcats, as they committed four errors, allowed five runs and lost its starting pitcher. ESJ fell 6-2 to St. Amant in the district opener for both teams Tuesday.

After a pair of scoreless innings, the Gators started to get something going, leading the third off with back to back singles by Tanner Sheets and Dillon Morin. Lee Elisar attempted to bunt them over but popped the ball in the air — prompting ESJ catcher Shane Nicholson and pitcher Bryton Trepagnier to race for the ball.

But the duo collided, and the ball fell to the ground. Nicholson picked it up and threw to third, but the ball sailed into the outfield and the runners — who had held up in anticipation of a catch — advanced safely to load the bases.

Worse still for the Wildcats was that Trepagnier would have to leave the game due to an elbow injury. The injury was confirmed to be minor after the game by ESJ coach Ryan Sims, but he was not be able to continue.

“It shocked the kids a bit,” said Sims. “It was just two guys trying to make a play. We never recovered.”

Said St. Amant coach Bob Lemons: “Unfortunately, their guy gets hurt, and it might have deflated them. We knew runs would be at a premium with him on the mound for them.”

Trepagnier was relieved by Ashton Lewis, who walked in the first run. Kahn Petite grounded out to second, but that brought in a run to make it 2-0. Another run scored on a misplayed ball at shortstop, then another on a passed ball made it 4-0. The inning’s fifth run scored on a dropped fly ball in the outfield.

Lewis struck out the final two batters of the inning, but the damage was done with St. Amant (11-9, 1-0) up comfortably.

From there, Lewis got into a groove. He’d allow five hits and one run while striking out four the rest of the way. But St. Amant starter Dylan Delaune was just as effective, cruising until allowing his first runs in the seventh inning — he allowed only one hit while striking out five over the first six innings.

“25 (Delaune) kept us off balance,” said Sims. “We made some solid contact, but it wasn’t falling our way.”

ESJ (8-8, 0-1) made its last gasp in the bottom of the seventh. Andrew Taylor and Lewis each doubled to lead off, putting ESJ’s first run across. Then Kody Duhe’s chopper led to an error, bringing another run home. LeBaron Sylvester then singled.

But the Wildcats would find no luck the rest of the way. A fielder’s choice at second retired Daniel Franklin, then Jarvis Johnson’s chopper found its way to second for another force.

Andre Simmons lined a hot shot up the middle, but it was right into the glove of Delaune to end the game.

“The ball just didn’t fall our way today,” said Sims. “But that’s baseball. One day it might not work out, and you just have to bounce back.”