By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

BATON ROUGE – After a pair of losses too begin the season, West St. John is getting healthier — both on the field and in the standings.

The baseball Rams have put together three straight wins, most recently leaving Family Christian with a 6-0 victory.

“I’m pleased with the way we’ve played over the last four games,” said West St. John coach Lennix Madere. “We’re trying to build something, and you can see a lot of improvement. But now we have to maintain that momentum.”

Karl Herbert (1-0), who was out in the early days of the season, earned his first victory on the mound, allowing only one hit in five innings. He struck out four.

Kenneth Dabney went 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs and two runs scored. Jarius Moll scored three runs as he went 2-for-4. Barry Hanson was 3-for-4.

West St. John led 1-0 going into the third inning, when the Ram bats started to get a read on Family Christian’s pitching. It scored two runs in that inning and followed up with three more in the fourth.

The game was called after six innings due to darkness.

A senior, Herbert has been the Rams’ top starter in the past, but his return to the lineup this season was delayed by a hangup with his physical and the accompanying paperwork.

But now that he’s back, it’s a boon to a Ram staff that had been stretched thin.

“If we’ve got him, and Jarius, Devonte Jackson and Austin Howard all healthy, it’s real important for us with district coming up and the games being so close, so many back-to-back efforts,” said Madere.

On Tuesday, West St. John visited Ecole Classique and jumped out to a big early lead on its way to a 12-1 win in five innings by the 10-run rule.

The Rams scored seven runs in the first inning and never looked back. It was more than enough support for Jarius Moll, who struck out five in five innings.

Moll also went 2-for-4 at the plate. Austin Howard was 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Reynaldo Trench collected two RBIs as well.

Madere said defensive improvement has been at the forefront of this surge.

The Rams have allowed two total runs over their last three games.

“If a team beats you, they beat you. Don’t give it away though,” said Madere. “I’ve never seen anyone catch a base hit. But you can make the routine plays and give yourself a chance to bring home a win every time.”