By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

THIBODAUX – It wasn’t the start to the season that East St. John wanted, but the Ladycats are now trending in the right direction.

After a opening day loss at Terrebonne, East St. John dropped the first two games of this past weekend’s Thibodaux tournament. But the Wildcats finished the weekend with a pair of victories and looked to extend their winning streak this week.

All tournament games were five innings.

ESJ picked up its first win of the season Saturday over Assumption, 1-0, behind a shutout performance by senior pitcher Stephanie LeBlanc (1-3). LeBlanc threw a two-hitter, walked nobody and struck out four.

Freshman Kayla Bourgeois knocked in the winning run for the Wildcats.

“She should be a big hitter for us this year,” said Hebert.

The second win for East St. John (2-3) followed a similar script, a 3-0 win over Ellender. It was the second straight two-hit shutout for LeBlanc (2-3). She struck out one and walked none.

It hasn’t taken long for LeBlanc, a transfer from Riverside, to make an impact with her new team.

“She’s key for us,” said Hebert. “She’s been very consistent and should help us a lot this season.”

Aleshia Murray was 1-for-2 with an RBI. Jasmine Brown was 2-for-2. LeBlanc went 1-for-1.

East St. John took advantage of Patriots’ errors to score two of their three runs.

The weekend began with a 5-1 loss to host Thibodaux.

Ashley Murray was 1-for-3 and knocked in ESJ’s lone run. Samantha Owen was 2-for-3.

LeBlanc (0-2) allowed three hits and walked one.

Central Catholic defeated ESJ in the Wildcats’ second tourney game, 3-1.

Bourgeois was 2-for-3 with an RBI.