By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

EDGARD – West St. John is off to a strong start in 2011, moving to 4-1 with wins in each of their last four games.

The Rams won three times this week, besting Haynes, Southern Lab, and Donaldsonville convincingly, with two games ending via the 10-run rule.

“I think having our biggest team in awhile with 18 guys going out for it has made a difference. There’s more competition,” said West St. John coach Lennix Madere. “We’re playing better in the outfield, our defense is much better, and our pitching’s been better..

The most recent of the victories came over Haynes Thursday, by a score of 10-2. The Rams scored four runs in the first, one in the second and three in the third to take a commanding 8-0 lead early.

It was more than enough for Austin Howard to earn the victory.

Howard started and pitched four scoreless innings.

Barry Hanson and Reynaldo Trench each collected two hits, with Hanson providing three RBIs.

On Tuesday, the Rams traveled to Southern Lab and nailed down a 23-3 victory.

The Rams scored at least four runs in each of the first four innings, peaking with an eight-run third.

Dontre Turner went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and Steven Brignac went 2-for-4. Austin Howard also collected two RBIs.

Devonte Jackson went six innings and allowed just one hit.

On Monday, West St. John scored all of their in four innings as it downed Donaldsonville 11-1.

Turner went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Trench went 2-for-2.

Turner collected the win, pitching four innings.

Madere said that his team’s pitching and defense has come a long way from a year ago.

“We used to drop fly balls, throw it away, walk a ton of people. That hasn’t happened this year,” he said. “We’re way ahead in terms of throwing strikes versus balls from a year ago. When you don’t walk people, you have opportunities to make plays.”