By GEORGE MAHL – Sports Editor

RESERVE – Riverside starting pitcher Billy Terrio gave up four hits and walked three as Riverside shutout St. Bernard 5-0 in the opening day of American Legion play.

With two outs in the bottom of the first, Riverside got on the scoreboard first. Third-baseman AJ Delaneuville singled and scored on a Nick Falgoust double. After two consecutive walks, St. Bernard starting pitcher David Shartine got Jodi Reulet to ground out to end the Riverside threat.

In the bottom of the third, two more Riverside runs gave them a 3-0 lead.

Falgoust led-off the inning with a single, stole second and scored on a passed ball for the inning’s first run of the inning. Right-fielder Cavin Richmond walked and later scored the second run of the inning on a throwing error by catcher Tony Lauga.

After the second run of the inning, Shartine regained his confidence and got the next three Riverside hitters to strikeout to end the inning.

Two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning were all Riverside would need. Designated hitter Donnie Terrio started off the inning with a walk and later scored on a throwing error, making the score 4-0 Riverside. A sacrifice fly by Jordan Poirrier scored lead-off hitter Lee Haydel.

The Riverside defense played well also. They turned three double plays. The first occurred in the top of the third inning. A walk to left-fielder Dusty Gord did no damage as Todd Topey hit into a double play. Following Topey’s double play, Lauga grounded out to end the inning.

The second one happened in the top of the fourth. After Phillip Sacran singled to start off the inning, Mike Fogut hit into a 6-4-3 double play. Terrio got Shartine, the next batter, to ground out, ending the inning.

Terrio’s best inning came in the top of the fifth. He struck out the three batters he faced.

St. Bernard’s biggest threat came in the top of the sixth. After Gord grounded out to start the inning, the next three St. Bernard hitters reached base safely. Topey singled and moved to third when Lauga hit into a fielder’s choice. Following a walk to Sacran, Foght hit into the game’s final double play to end the inning.

With two outs in the top of the seventh, Robert Gauties walked to keep the inning alive. Warren Alphonso, however, grounded out to shortstop to end the game.

Top hitters for Riverside included Delaneuville (2-4, 1 run scored) and Falgoust (2-4, 1 run scored). St. Bernard was led by Topey, who finished 2-3.