J. EDMUND BARNES

PHOTO 1: Summer Comets first baseman Derrick Gaubert holds River Ridges Mark Joseph to the bag while waiting for a possible pickoff throw. (Staff Photos by J. Edmund Barnes) LAPLACE – For half of the first inning it looked as if John Curtis-based River Ridge Chiropractic and Dental Care might have had what it takes to beat St. Charles Catholic-based Cretin Homes. They hit around ace pitcher Jason Waguespack, and then with two runners on base, Chris Jackson hit a deep ball that dropped over the right field wall. But just as quickly Cretin Homes came back, taking advantage of errors and a home run that fell beyond the left field wall. The game was never in doubt after that. Cretin Homes took home the American Legion’s Second District title with a 13-7 victory Monday afternoon, with Jason Waguespack getting his fifth win of the summer season. While Curtis had its share of hitters, with Ricky Villars going 3-3, Chris Jackson going 3-4 with 4 RBI’s and a home run, and Chris Bua going 2-4, it was St. Charles Catholic’s bats that did the damage. The Summer Comets scored in every inning except the third and sixth. PHOTO 2: Joette Malain watches the Summer Comets in action against River Ridge Chiropractic and Dental. Jason Rauch went 2-4, Jason Waguespack went 3-3 with 3 RBI’s and a home run, and Jeremy Triche went 2-4 with an RBI. “This has been an unbelievable season,” said Coach Paul Waguespack. “These kids have worded hard and believed in each other since the end of the prep season. When we beat (Archbishop Rummel based-Schaff) in the middle of the season, I thought we had a chance to win this thing.” Joette Malain watched the game next to the St. Charles Catholic dugout. Her seat was out directly under the sun, not sheltered like the bleachers to her right. “I like to stay focused on the game, and not get into it like everyone else in the crowd,” she said. Malain describe her seat as “a real comfortable spot” that lets her watch her son Trey Malain play. When he plays. A rising junior, Trey has not seen much playing time on the Cretin Homes squad. Trey Malain plays more on an All Star team that plays in the tournament leagues. Joette Malain has been to so many games this summer that she said: “I’m so burnt out on baseball it’s unreal. I’m always at one ball park or another.” Her 12-year-old son Jared Malain also plays baseball. Baseball is Trey’s game, said Joette. This summer he has traveled to Texas, Florida and all over Louisiana playing in tournaments. “Yesterday he hit a great ball,” said his proud mother. Joette said Riverside had a fund-raising tournament over the weekend to raise money for their baseball team. In the finals Sunday, Trey hit a home run of which Joette said: “(The home run) cleared the canal, cleared the everything. It almost got to the road.”