This past weekend, the Jesuit baseball team competed in the WGNO Classic. After some creative alterations to the playing schedule, the Blue Jays were still able to put together three impressive performances despite weather challenges. Thursday’s game was played at Chalmette, while the Saturday double-header was moved to RBI Field.

Connor Bendeck gets a congratulatory fist bump from Coach Kenny Goodlett after one of his two hits on Saturday morning. Bendeck drove in one run in the victory.

Jesuit 8, Ruston 5

Saturday, February 24

The Blue Jay baseball team concluded play in the WGNO classic with a forceful victory over Ruston. Like many of their games in the Classic, Jesuit hit the bats early to go out ahead of their opponent. In the 2nd inning , hits by Connor Bendeck, Zack Casebonne, Alex Watermeier, and Seth Dardar sent the Blue Jays in front of Ruston 4-0.

Ruston inched their way back into the game through the following innings and even came within one run in the 5th with the score at 6-5. The Jays added two more runs in the 6th to close out the game 8-5.

Sophomore Seth Dardar and junior Connor Bendeck each had two hits in the victory, which accounted for four of Jesuit’s 10 hits in the game.

Ruston, on the other hand was only able to put together 4 hits against the Jays’ stellar play from the field. Brian Valigosky was the starting pitcher for the Blue Jays, and struck out six batters. He was later relieved by Chris Favalora.

Jesuit 5, West Ouachita 4

Saturday, February 24

At 9 AM on that same Saturday, the Jays stayed true to the early hitting theme of the weekend, popping off three runs in the 1st inning. Zack Casebonne was the offensive threat against West Ouachita with 2 RBIs.

The Jays notched on one more run in the 2nd inning before going silent for the next four innings.

West Ouachita tallied a run in the 3rd inning and then gave a scare in the top of the 6th with three runs that tied the score at 4-4.

In the bottom of the 7th, the Jays put themselves in good position by loading up the bases, and a Ruston walked sent Matt Alexander, who had singled earlier in the inning, across the plate to give the Jays the 5-4 victory.

Senior pitcher Christian Hess had five strikeouts in the battle and was replaced in the 6th by junior Will Moran.

Jesuit 6, Chalmette 0

Thursday, February 22

First game of the tournament on Thursday night saw the Jays facing off against Chalmette High at their field.

All six of the Blue Jay runs came in during the first three innings. Matt Alexander and Zack Casebonne each popped off doubles in the 2nd add to the Jays early led. Alexander had two RBIs in the victory.

But it was sophomore Seth Dardar who in the 3rd inning sent a solo shot over the center-field wall that got the Jays to the 6th and final run of the night.

Will Hellmers pitched very well in the shutout, striking out nine batters. Lee Blosser came on in relief to start the 6th inning and struck out five.

Details about when the Jays are next in action can be found on the Blue Jay Baseball Schedule on Jesuit’s website.