MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / June 26, 1999

DESTREHAN – East St. Charles Post 366/195 has stayed close in themajority of its Second District East games this summer but one play always seemed to keep it from going over the top.

Post 366/195 made those plays Wednesday afternoon.

Todd Picou put the team ahead with a two-run home run in the sixth, Jeff Vitrano made a diving catch in the seventh and Craig Naquin pitched three shutout innings as Post 366/195 picked up its first district victory, 7-6, over Cretin Homes.

Post 366/195 improved to 2-10 overall and 1-9 in district play. CretinHomes fell to 6-5 and 5-4 in district.

“We made the plays we had to,” Post 366/195 coach Mark Willoughby said.

“We got the hits when we needed them and we learned how to win a ballgame.”Post 366/195 overcame two three-run deficits to pull to within 6-5 heading into the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Danny Krieger drew awalk from Cretin Homes reliever Jason LaPorte and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Picou then took a 3-1 fastball and launched it over the fencein left field, giving Post 366/195 a 7-6 lead.

“I try to be patient and wait for the pitch I want to hit,” Picou said. “Itmeans a lot to us to win a game. We are starting to step up and everybodyis becoming a leader and becoming one team.”Nick Monica opened the top of the sixth by drawing a walk from Naquin.

After Naquin struck out Jon Hymel, Toby Jacob lofted a flare to short right field. Vitrano came in and made a diving catch, quickly throwing to firstto nearly double up Monica.

“That was a big league play,” Willoughby said. “Right there showed thehustle on this team. He made a great play out there and really took thewind out of their sails.”Naquin walked LaPorte but then struck out Ricky Madere to end the game.

Naquin (2-2) pitched the final 3 1/3 innings, allowing no hits and two walks while striking out five.

“Craig had been struggling but he settled down tonight,” Willoughby said.

“He kept us close. He gave us a chance to win the ballgame and we did.”Cretin Homes had its chances to pull away early. In the first inning, CretinHomes loaded the bases against Post 366/195 starter Scott Simon as Jason Waguespack walked, Matt Fisse was hit by a pitch and Jason Gonzales reached on an error. A walk by Monica drove in Waguespack. Post 366/195 tied the game in the bottom of the inning. Marty Boudreauxwalked and went to second on a balk to lead off the inning. Boudreaux thenwent to third as Krieger singled to left and scored as Picou grounded out to second.

Cretin Homes came back in the top of the second as Jacob and LaPorte led off the inning with singles. Two outs later, Waguespack took a 3-1 pitchover the left field fence, making it a 4-1 game.

Post 366/195 got two of the runs back in the bottom of the third.

Boudreaux led off with a walk and Krieger followed with a single to center. Picou then banged a double off the wall in right-center, scoringBoudreaux to make it 4-2. A sacrifice fly to left by Corass Mathernebrought in Krieger.

Cretin Homes regained a three-run advantage in the top of the fourth.

Madere led off with a single and Brian Horvath followed with a walk. Twoouts later, Gonzales walked to load the bases. Monica then lined a single toleft, bringing in Madere and Horvath to make it 6-3.

Post 366/195 answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Pickand Johnson walked to open the inning before LaPorte came in to relieve Braud. After both runners moved up on a passed ball Grubbs grounded out toshort, scoring Pick. Boudreaux walked and Krieger followed with a single,driving in Johnson to make it 6-5.

“You’ve got to give them credit,” Cretin Homes coach Frank Monica said of Post 366/195. “We kept leaving the door open and failed to put them awayearly. Right now, we are not playing a good ballgame. They competed andthey deserved the win.”

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