L’Observateur / June 2, 1999

The 1999 prep baseball season was quite a one in the River Parishes. Sixlocal schools made the postseason. Poirrier, the River Parishes MVPhelped Riverside advance to the Class 2A semifinals for the first time since 1993. And Coach of the Year Scott Tribble guided the LutcherBulldogs to the Class 3A state championship game.

Joey Poirrier Senior Pitcher/Infielder Riverside Most Valuable Player

“Joey was someone we could always count on,” Riverside coach Marshall Crook said of Poirrier. “He was always ready to accept the challenge,whether it be pitching, hitting or fielding. He was an impact player.” Poirrier came through time and time again for Riverside, whether it be at the plate or on the mound, in helping the Rebels to the District 9-2A title and a berth in the Class 2A semifinals.

The all-District 9-2A selection batted a team-high .453 with six homeruns and 37 runs batted in. On the mound, he finished with a 6-1 recordwith a 1.41 earned run average. In 41 innings, he struck out 53 whilewalking 10.

“Joey was a very good player and a hard worker,” Crooks said. “He wassomeone who strived for excellence.”

Scott Tribble Lutcher Coach of the Year

When Lutcher opened practice back in January, the Bulldogs were coming off a tough summer. Lutcher went 1-13 in American Legion play,competing in one of the toughest districts in the state.

The schedule in high school play was not going to be an easy one either.

But Tribble, in his first year at the helm, got the Bulldogs believing in themselves early. Lutcher captured its own Bulldog Classic early in theseason. The Bulldogs then went into district play, finishing second behindE.D. White.The Bulldogs then swept past Parkview Baptist, Pearl River, Notre Dame and Benton in the playoffs, advancing to the state championship game against E.D. White for the first time since 1993. The Cardinals endedLutcher’s storybook season with a 11-1 victory with the Bulldogs finishing with a 22-10 overall record.

Tribble said he could not have achieved what he did this season without his assistant coach Kim Lacombe.

“Coach Lacombe’s help was greatly appreciated,” Tribble said. “I want tothank him for everything he’s done.”

Casey Duhe Senior Pitcher Riverside

Duhe capped his career with the Rebels with a 9-2 record and 3.44 ERA inhis senior year. In 65 innings, he struck out 50 while walking 33. He wasnamed to the all-District 9-2 team after helping the Rebels capture the district title.

Brandon Laiche Senior Pitcher St. Charles Catholic

Laiche was a member of a fine St. Charles catholic staff that helped theComets advance to the state quarterfinals.

The all-District 9-2A selection went 6-0 with a sparkling 1.64 ERA with47 strikeouts in 38 innings.

Bo Louque Junior Pitcher Lutcher

Louque was the pitcher the Bulldogs wanted on the mound in the big games and he delivered time and time again. Pitching against some of the bestteams in the state, he went 7-3 with a 3.18 ERA, striking out 58 in 74 2/3innings in being named to the all-District 10-3A first team.

Brian Risinger Junior Pitcher Hahnville

Risinger was the ace of a staff that helped the Tigers reach the regional playoffs. The all-District 6-5A selection went 10-3 with a 2.63 ERA,striking out 64 batters in 63 innings.

Darrin Gaubert Senior Catcher St. Charles Catholic

Gaubert picked right up from where all-River Parishes selection Jason Gonzales left off in 1998. The senior stepped up to the plate 94 times andbatted .426 with two home runs, 29 RBIs and 29 runs scored.

Ben McLaren Senior Catcher Destrehan

McLaren helped lead the Wildcats from both at and behind the plate. In hissenior year, he batted .351 with two home runs, 11 RBIs and 18 runs in 57at-bats.

Sean Delaneuville Sophomore Infielder Riverside

Delaneuville is making his second straight appearance on the All-River Parishes team. He avoided the sophomore jinx, batting .410 with five homeruns and 32 RBIs in being named to the all-District 9-2A team.

Tray Haydel Junior Infielder Lutcher

Haydel provided some pop for the Bulldogs out of the clean-up spot. Thefirst-team all-District 10-3A selection batted .406 with three home runs,30 RBIs and 38 runs scored.

Dewey Matherne Senior Infielder Hahnville

Matherne was named the District 6-5A MVP after helping the Tigers to the district title in 1999. The senior first baseman batted .448 with 14doubles, one triple, 12 home runs and 40 RBIs in 87 at-bats.

Brandon Mason Sophomore Infielder East St. John

Mason made the move from catcher to shortstop this season and did not miss a beat. The second team all-district selection batted .340 with 35runs and a team-high 37 stolen bases.

Craig Naquin Junior Infielder Destrehan

Naquin helped the Wildcats advance to the bi-district playoffs in 1999 and was selected to the all-District 6-5A team. At the plate, he had 36 hits in95 at-bats for a .379 average. Naquin had seven home runs and 10 doubles to go along with 29 runs scored and 31 RBIs. On the mound, he went 7-3 with a 4.50 ERA and 58strikeouts in 60 innings pitched.

John Price Senior Infielder St. Charles Catholic

Price was one of the best all-around athletes in the area. The all-District9-2A selection batted .368 with seven home runs, 40 RBIs and 36 runsscored. On the mound, he went 7-1 with a 2.35 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 45innings.

Price was dominating in the Comets’ regional victory over Jewel Sumner, striking out 13 while allowing just one hit. He also drove in the only runof the game.

Dustin Zimmer Senior Infielder Riverside

Zimmer picked up where he left off after a torrid finish to the 1998 season, making the all-District 9-2A team with a .405 batting average and29 RBIs. The senior infielder also led the team with nine home runs.

Wesley Louque Senior Outfielder Lutcher

Louque sparked the Bulldogs out of the lead-off spot. The first-team all-District 10-3A selection batted .373 with four home runs, 21 RBIs and 39runs scored. Louque also got it done on the bases, stealing 19 bases andpossessed one of the strongest arms in the area in right field.

Jeremy Mitchell Senior Outfielder East St. John

Mitchell provided pop in a hard-hitting East St. John lineup. The all-District 6-5A first team selection batted .385 with five home runs, 40RBIs and 15 stolen bases.

Jason Pick Senior Outfielder Destrehan

Pick was an all-District 6-5A selection this past season. In 85 at-bats,the senior outfielder batted .365 with nine doubles, 14 RBIs and 21 runsscored.

Wayne Stein Senior Outfielder St. Charles Catholic

Stein concluded his career with the Comets with another all-district selection. The senior batted .391 with six home runs, 24 RBIs, 36 runs and10 stolen bases in 92 at-bats in being selected to the all-District 9-2A team by the district coaches.

Roydell Williams Junior Outfielder East St. John

Williams was a flyer in both the outfield and on the bases.

A first-team all-District 6-5A selection batted a team-high .476 withtwo home runs, 31 RBIs and 30 stolen bases.

Courtney Bonura Senior Utility St. Charles Catholic

Bonura helped the Comets to the state quarterfinals both at the plate and on the mound. The first-team all-District 9-2A selection batted .361 withseven home runs, 39 RBIs and 30 runs scored.

On the mound, the senior went 6-4 with a 3.64 ERA and 60 strikeouts.

Erik Donnaud Junior Utility Hahnville

Donnaud rebounded from an injury suffered in his sophomore year to have a superb junior year. The second team all-District 6-5 selection batted .342with six doubles, three home runs and 28 RBIs in 66 at-bats.

On the mound, Donnaud went 6-2 with a 3.71 ERA.

Samson Monica Senior Utility East St. John

Monica, L’Observateur’s 1998 River Parishes MVP, overcame injuries to enjoy another stellar season. The first-team all-District 6-5A selectionhad a team-high eight home runs to go along with a .375 batting averageand 27 RBIs.

Doug Morvant Senior Utility St. James

Morvant capped a solid career with the Wildcats with a first-team all- District 10-3A selection his senior year. Playing in the toughest Class 3Adistrict in the state, Morvant batted .350 in district play and .400 overall.On the mound, he went 2-2 with a 3.15 ERA.

Britt Waguespack Freshman Designated Hitter Riverside

Waguespack provided power out of the designated hitter position for the Rebels. An honorable mention all-District 9-2A selection, Waguespackbatted .419 with four home runs and 17 RBIs.

Cleavon Webster Senior Designated Hitter Lutcher

Webster was a first-team utility player in District 10-3A. The seniorfirst baseman batted .405 with four home runs, 35 RBIs and 33 runsscored.

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