Doubleheader derailed by rain; was to be made up Tuesday

By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

When B.J. Young crossed home plate in the sixth inning on Saturday afternoon, it proved to be the winning run for Hahnville-based Otto Candies, LLC over rival and Destrehan-based Valero-St. Charles.

What that meant was that the teams would get to play a little longer; a Valero victory earlier in the week over Otto Candies meant the teams had a win each, and a rubber match later on Saturday would determine who would go into the Southeast Regional round of the American Legion playoffs with momentum – not to mention, the higher seed.

But as far as Saturday went, they would not get a chance to play that much longer.

Rainy conditions all day rendered the field conditions unplayable, and the game was postponed entering the fifth inning.

Attempts were made to play on Sunday and Monday, but rain derailed both attempts. At press time, the plan was for the teams to meet on Tuesday, at 1 p.m. Otto Candies (18-4) leads game two, 2-0, and play will resume in the top of the fifth.

&#8220Even though both teams qualify for the next round, it’s important to play well and stay on a winning pace,” said Otto Candies Assistant Coach Chuck Oubre. &#8220You want to definitely have momentum.

Said Valero-St. Charles (15-4) Coach Marty Luquet: &#8220It’s important to everyone out on the field. It’s still a game between Hahnville and Destrehan, and you certainly want to win. These are the fun games to be involved with.”

Young went 2-for-2 to lead Otto Candies’ in the first game. Colby Broussard had an RBI.

Ross Terranova and Josh Rochelle each had RBIs for Valero St. Charles.

Justin Zoglio (2-0) notched the win for Otto Candies, and Kevin Young logged the save. Josh Rochelle (1-2) took the loss for Valero.

&#8220You have to really credit the pitching,” Oubre said. If you can hold an offense like that to three hits, you’ve done a really good job.”

The game was close throughout. It was tied at two after three innings, and three after five innings, before Young scored the game-winning run from third base after an errant throw to first base.

The weather plagued the defense of each team, as they made a combined six errors.

&#8220We did cost ourselves on defense,” Luquet said. &#8220The pitching staffs did a great job, but once the ball was put in play, everyone had problems.”

The teams combined for nine hits in the first game, which is far below average for both high-powered offenses. Pitching was key, as well as a consistent, light rain.