By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — While West St. John weathered six straight losses to begin the 2014 softball season, the Lady Rams and their coaches wore broad smiles Monday evening. 

Weather the storm, they did. Monday saw the Rams pick up their third consecutive victory, a come-from-behind 7-6 win at home over Donaldsonville.

West St. John trailed 6-0 in the game but rallied to tie things up before the seventh inning, where Tre’Shaun Trench scored the game-winning run from third base on a wild pitch.

“It was kinda tough at the beginning of the season,” said Trench. “We kind of had to get our team back together with so many out for basketball. Now we’ve gotta keep the streak going.”

Added teammate Tamika Howard, whose triple sparked the Rams’ offense: “I’m just happy for my team. I’m so excited (to get the win).”

Trench reached on an error with one out before taking second on a wild pitch. Howard singled to advance Trench to third, setting the table for the senior to win the game. 

Once Donaldsonville pitcher Ambrosia Johnson’s final pitch escaped the reach of catcher Joy Sullivan, Trench didn’t hesitate.

“’Just go,’” Trench said of what went through her mind. “Coach told us we needed one run. As soon as I got on base, I was gonna push for that run.”

West St. John coach Brandon Dumas flashed a knowing grin when asked if he knew that Trench, who he calls his team leader, would deliver the winning run once she reached base. 

“Once she got on, it was a matter of time,” said Dumas. “She’s aggressive and she knows the game. We just needed to get her in position.”

Sydnei Young (3-6) picked up the win on the mound for West St. John, striking out 10 batters on the day. 

Donaldsonville took a 5-0 lead in the third inning on a two-run double by Katelin Williams, an RBI single by Kasha Jarvis, a wild pitch and an RBI groundout by Paige Mitchell. The Tigers added another run in the fourth on an error.

With one out in the bottom of the fourth, the Rams answered with three runs of their own. Howard got things started with a triple, then Jaylan Pierce singled and Alaney Favorite drew a walk. All three went on to score on wild pitches to make it 6-3.

Kaieonne Sorapuru reached on an infield single to lead off the bottom of the fifth and went on to steal second and third before scoring on a wild pitch. Trench singled on a hard hit ball to left, then Howard drove her in before scoring herself on a wild pitch to tie the game. 

Donaldsonville threatened to take back control of the game in the sixth after loading the bases. But despite Williams’ triple with one out to lead off the inning, the Rams wriggled free with no damage, ending the inning with one of the plays of the day: Pierce’s running, lunging catch in center field. on a ball hit by Mitchell. 

“That was a primetime play,” said Dumas. “If she doesn’t make that play, we’re probably not in position to win it. She hustled hard to the ball. I always tell her, ‘You’re more athletic than you think you are. Keep your confidence up.’”

Young allowed five hits and walked eight, working through some control issues in the middle innings while starting and finishing strong.

The senior pitcher has been on fire in the strikeout column over the win streak, racking up 35 over the last three games. 

“She’s the best pitcher we’ve ever had here,” said Dumas, “and she’s making her senior year one to remember. She’s taken her game up a level and, to me, the sky’s the limit for her.”

 

WSJ GOES 2-0 AT TOURNAMENT — West St. John  hosted its annual softball tournament Saturday, and the Rams captured their first two victories of the season with a 16-2 win over Karr and a 9-6 win over McDonogh No. 35. 

Young struck out 11 and allowed six hits to earn the victory over Karr. Sorapuru went 2 for 4 with two stolen bases. Trench went 2 for 3 with two RBIs. 

Against McDonogh No. 35, Trench led the way with a home run and two RBIs while going 2 for 4. Howard went 2 for 3 with two steals. 

Young struck out a season-high 14 en route to the win.