Will Moran does it all as Jesuit edges Warren Easton

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METAIRIE – For one team, it was about continuing the maturing process of a young club. For the other, it was about proving they belong. Both missions were accomplished Tuesday night at John Ryan Stadium.

Will Moran belted an inside-the-park three-run home run and pitched four and a third innings of outstanding relief to pace Jesuit to a 5-4 victory over Warren Easton Tuesday night.

“It was the first inside-the-park homer I’ve ever had,” Moran said. “It was a great moment to take the lead against a great Warren Easton team. I was just trying to run as hard as I can. When I rounded second base, I saw Coach (Joey) Latino waving me home so I just chugged along as hard as I could to get there and score. I came in on the mound, they had just scored two runs. I just tried to come in and do my job to get my team back in the dugout and to get some offense.”

Jesuit (5-3) jumped on top in the bottom of the first inning. Michael Torry led off with a single up the middle before Matt Alexander ripped a double down the left field line, advancing Torry to third. Pitcher Will Helmers followed with an RBI groundout, scoring Torry to make it 1-0.

The Eagles (7-2) stormed back to take the lead in the top of the third inning. Alex Stampley struck out to begin the inning but reached on an error. Hellmers then walked Larry Barabino and Terrell Droughn before Tevin Felix tripled to deep right, clearing the bases to make it 3-1.

Jesuit responded immediately in the bottom of the third. Sean Seghers singled, Alexander reached on an error and Moran drilled one hard to center. Barabino made a diving effort but fell just short as the ball got beyond him toward the warning track. Moran turned on the jets and raced around the bases with an inside the park, three-run home run to give Jesuit a 4-3 lead.

“We are a young team and those are the kind of things that help you grow up a little bit,” Jesuit head coach Joey Latino said. “When you get a three-spot put up against you and you come back with four, that turns the complexion of the game and instills some confidence in them as well.”

The Blue Jays were not finished in the inning. Jalen Rainey hit Brian Valigosky and Brenden Berggren and Seth Dardar singled home Valigosky to make it 5-3. Barabino relieved Rainey and got out of the jam. Barabino pitched three and a third shutout innings, not allowing a hit, walking two and striking out three Blue Jays, giving Easton a chance. Rainey went two and two-thirds innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits. He walked two and hit two batters.

Hellmers piched two and a third innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on just one hit. He walked three and struck out six Eagles.

Warren Easton reduced the deficit in the top of the sixth inning. Antoine Hawkins walked, advanced on a groundout and scored on a two-single by Torey Belton to make it 5-4 but Moran set the Eagles down in order in the seventh inning to nail down a hard-fought victory.

“This was a very good Warren Easton team, record wise, I think 7-1 with their only loss to a very good Scotlandville team,” Latino said. “We expected them to be very competitive and they were. I think both of their pitchers did a really good job. We got a big lift tonight from Will Moran, not just with the inside-the-park home run but I thought he did a really good job on the mound as well.”

Eagles head coach Mark Gonsoulin was disappointed with the loss but pleased with the effort of his team.

“It was a good experience, like I told my team, this is what we’re going to see in the playoffs,” Gonsoulin said. “This is one of the best organizations in the city and if you can stay in the game with a Jesuit, you’re doing stuff right. I think we had one bad inning and it kind of cost us but I’m proud of the way my kids fought.”

Jesuit returns to action Thursday evening in the Barbe Tournament in Lake Charles, taking on Evangel Christian at 8 p.m. Warren Easton will face Carver at 4 p.m. Thursday. The Blue Jays will also face Peabody, Hahnville and Barbe this weekend.

“We’re excited,” Latino said. “Again, this is a young club and we might look like a deer in the headlights Thursday for the first game or two but we’re going to go over there and compete and look forward to the challenge.”

Final
Warren Easton 003 001 0 4 2 2, 4 LOB
Jesuit 104 000 x 5 5 1, 7 LOB
WP—Will Moran
LP—Jalen Rainey
Time of Game: 2:05

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