By GEORGE MAHL – Sports Editor

A big first inning was all the Riverside Academy Rebels needed in their game against St. Charles Catholic Saturday afternoon. A four-run first inning combined with a solid pitching performance by Riverside starter Jordan Remondet lifted the Rebels to a 5-3 victory in the final game of the St. Charles Catholic Comet Classic.

Remondet fired seven strikeouts in the victory.

With the Rebels seemingly in control, the Comets began to mount a comeback in the bottom of the fifth. Trailing 5-0, the Comets rallied to cut the lead to 5-3. After Billy Poche lead off the inning with a walk, Jesse Martin singled to put runners at first and second with no outs.

Designated hitter Brian Matus then flied out to center for the first out of the fifth. A double to right courtesy of SCC pitcher Michael Oncale scored both Poche and Martin. Following a groundball out, James Callahan singled home Oncale to pull the Comets to within two.

However, Remondet came back in the sixth and seventh inning to allow only one hit.

A key play in the sixth inning for St. Charles Catholic was when Jeremy Poche doubled to center with Jeremy Catoire, a courtesy runner, was on first. Catoire tried to score from first base, but was thrown out at the plate by centerfielder Nick Falgoust.

A diving catch by Riverside rightfielder Chris Reeves ended the Comets half of the sixth inning.

St. Charles Catholic starter Matt Heltz struggled. He only pitched one inning, allowing four runs on three hits. In addition, then first Rebel hitters reached base safely. With runners on first and second in the top of the first, Remondet smashed a single that scored lead-off hitter Lee Haydel from second. A walk to AJ Delauneville loaded up the bases with one out. TJ Cancienne’s sacrifice fly scored the second run of the inning.

A walk to Reeves forced in a run, making the score 3-0 Riverside. Lastly, a single by Wes Hotard allowed Delauneville to score from third base.

Hotard added a lead-off homerun in the top of the fourth to give the Rebels a comfortable 5-0 lead.

Remondet went the distance for Riverside, striking out seven and walking three. In addition, he struck out at least one hitter in the first four innings.

Top hitter for Riverside was Hotard (2-3, 1 RBI). For SCC, Poche also went 2-3.