Eight run eighth spurs Fatty’s on to its first win of the summer season

by RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Through four innings of play, the bats of Riverside-based Fatty’s Restaurant were silent. They were only able to produce one hit and no runs against the East St. John based Reserve Cubs.

That all changed in the fifth inning.

Fatty’s Restaurant scored eight runs on three hits and seven walks in the fifth and earned their first win of the summer, 8-3.

C.J. Delaneuville had the big hit in the inning with a two-RBI single. Jamie Simon and Timmy Teague also each had an RBI single in the inning.

&#8220I went up knowing I’d get a hit,” Delaneuville said. &#8220I felt it. As a senior, I’ve got to come up big and do my job.”

Thad Louque and Colby Vicknair each drew walks to bring in runners in the inning. Louque and Simon each scored on wild pitches.

Reserve pitcher Andre Simmons struggled with his control after relieving starter Brandon Trant with two on and one out in the fifth, and didn’t get into a groove until the sixth inning, where he retired the side in order.

&#8220We could tell he was struggling a bit with his control,” Riverside Coach Britt Waguespack said. &#8220We wanted to be patient, stay within the strike zone and jump on any opportunities. We were able to do that there.”

Said Reserve Coach Ryan Sims: &#8220You just have to throw strikes. We were where we wanted to be at 3-0, but all the walks hurt us. They capitalized on our mistakes, and that’s what good teams do. But it’s my fault, I need to prepare my pitching staff better than I did for today. It’s on me to get them where they need to be.”

The Cubs took an early lead when Corey Sentimore singled to drive in Donald Goff in the first inning.

Quincy Green would score on a wild pitch in the fourth inning. Ikeem Brown would do the same in the fifth to give Reserve a 3-0 lead.

Timmy Teague returned to the mound for the first time in over a year after recovering from a back injury. He got the start for the Fatty’s Restaurant and went 4-1/3 innings, giving up three earned runs and three hits. Teague struck out six, and walked five. He also threw a number of high and wild pitches, something Waguespack attributed to Teague’s long time away from the mound.

&#8220He has very good stuff,” Waguespack said. &#8220He’s going to be pretty good for us.”

Jade Falgoust (1-0) started at shortstop and came in relief of Teague in the fifth. After walking two batters, he was lights-out, striking out the side in the fifth and retiring the last nine Reserve batters in order.

Waguespack says that when his team is in a big spot and needs to get an out, he looks to Falgoust first.

&#8220He’s our go-to guy in any position. He’s one of our better guys, a guy who really thrives on pressure. He wants the ball in those spots.”

For players like Delaneuville, who will be a senior next school year, the summer is a chance to begin growing into a leadership role on the team.

&#8220(Going forward), we need to be more assertive, start hitting and fly around out there on defense,” Delaneuville said.