J. EDMUND BARNES

St. Charles Catholic High School seniors Jason Wague-spack and Jeremy Triche have been playing baseball since they were five. They began competing against each other when they were in middle school – Jason played for Ascension of our Lord while Jeremy played for Riverside Academy. They began playing together for the Comets in ninth grade. Triche and Waguespack started out in the T-ball leagues, something they remember as “fun.” But by the time they were nine years old, they both knew that they threw the ball a little better than other kids their age. As starters, pitcher Waguespack and outfielder Triche have been major force for the St. Charles Catholic High School-based Cretin Homes American Legion baseball team. Cretin Homes is currently 8-1 in district play, and 9-1 overall. Waguespack humbly said, “We have nothing to prove,” but the team’s record said otherwise. After a disappointing loss to Jennings in the state semifinals, the Comets summer team has picked up where the prep season left off and has rolled up an impressive series of victories. “We should have won a lot of games that we lost,” Waguespack said of the prep season. In summer play their only loss was to Shaw’s Legion team, who along with Rummel and St. Charles Catholic hold a three way split of the Second District lead. Both Triche and Wague-spack agree the most important aspect of baseball is to have fun. They seemed to have learned the lesson well – four tough innings of play against a rallying Lutcher Legion team hungry to knock them out of their first place tie seemed to have no effect on the players. Perhaps that was because of some clutch pitching by Waguespack, who was able to deny runs even though Lutcher was able to move four runners into scoring position. “The hardest part is keeping your composure,” said Waguespack. “You block it out. You listen to the important stuff,” said Triche. “When you’re on a losing streak you think your going to lose, and you do.” Waguespack said of course the players are having fun right now. “We’re winning,” he said with a smile. Baseball is not the only sport Waguespack and Triche play together – they also work with the Comet’s football team, where Waguespack plays quarterback and Triche plays center. Triche said some collegiate programs have contacted him, and he would like to play for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, or possibly a junior college. As for the pros, Triche hopes to play for a triple A team at some point.