By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

EDGARD – It was exactly what West St. John wanted — and needed — to see as it enters the season’s stretch run: a strong performance by one of its young starting pitchers.

Devon Jackson allowed just four hits and struck out six in a complete game performance, anchoring a 6-4 District 8-1A win over Ascension Christian at West St. John on Tuesday.

“We’ve struggled on the mound,” said West St. John coach Lennix Madere. “This was a very good thing for us. Our bats struggled a little bit and he kept it from getting out of hand. It should do a lot for his confidence.”

West St. John (7-7, 2-4) led 4-2 entering the sixth inning, but the Lions (2-8, 1-5) tied the game with a pair of runs in the top half of that frame.

Kenneth Dabney answered the call for the Rams, notching a two-RBI single that proved to be the game-winner.

“This win keeps us in the district hunt,” said Madere.

Reynaldo Trench went 4-for-4 in the game. Jarius Moll went 2-for-4. Barry Hanson was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs.

Madere said a side exercise with Jackson at practice may have helped him to his strong performance.

“He’s had lapses where he’s lost concentration after walking a batter or two,” said Madere. “So at practice, we lined up some blocks around the plate and just had him pitch between those. I think it helped him a lot.

“So maybe we’ll just keep setting up blocks from now on, if that’s what it takes,” said Madere with a chuckle.

West St. John fell to second place St. John-Plaquemine on Thursday, 19-2.

St. John was ranked tenth in power points in Class 1A as of Friday, after falling to Ascension Catholic (15-7, 6-0) to concede sole possession of first place.

West St. John was ranked 31st, in fourth place in 8-1A.