By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

In the diamond mine of athletes that is the River Parishes, one local family can lay claim to a pair of sparkling examples.

Playing for the state runner-up St. Charles Catholic Lady Comets in softball, Amanda Savoie manned outfield this season in the playoffs in Sulphur. She was also a member of the 2005 team that played in the finals, playing shortstop and second base. After graduating in May, Savoie signed on to play with LSU-EUNICE.

And all the while when she was practicing and playing on the SCC softball field, cousin Matt Heltz was with the Comet baseball team. Heltz was an integral part of St. Charles’ run that ended with a 26-6 season record and a semifinals appearance. He was also a member of the squad from 2005 that made it to the semifinals. Heltz has accepted a scholarship to Temple University in Pennsylvania.

&#8220They were raised together,” said Lisa Savoie, Amanda’s mother. &#8220My mother used to babysit them together. She would tell me how Amanda was always trying to keep up with Matt.”

&#8220I was always playing outside, trying to be competitive with the boys,” said Amanda. &#8220That might be where it started.”

She was much the same way throughout high school, dabbling in as many sports as she could to keep that competitive streak alive. That schedule kept her busy year round as she went from softball to swimming to volleyball to basketball to track. This year she was named all-district and all-River Parishes for her play on the softball diamond.

She said that the playoffs this year with the softball team was a highlight of her athletic career.

&#8220It was a lot of fun. Making it to the state game was great. That was the best feeling ever. Especially this year because the semifinal game was so close and we won in the last inning. That was awesome. What a great game.”

Savoie adds that she’d like to continue to be around a softball field in the future.

I think I want to try to coach,” she said. &#8220I’d like to teach other people things that I know and that I’ve learned. Maybe I’ll even try to come back to St. Charles. I going to miss that school.”

You want your children to be happy,” said her father Donnie Savoie Jr., &#8220and when she’s playing, she’s happy. That’s all I can ask for.”

As for Heltz, he earned all-district, all-River Parishes and all-metro honors this season and was a four-year letterman at pitcher and shortstop. He also was selected to play in the LHBCA all-star game this year.

He got his chance at a scholarship while playing in a summer league this year. The team to which he is a part of is sponsored by

&#8220Matt worked his butt off. His work ethics

He worked every day. So committed. Never late

&#8220I’m just wondering how he’s going to make it through the winter. We’re down south people here.”

Amanda and Matt join a well-established tradition of ball players. Matt’s sister Heather was All-State two years ago for the Lady Comets. Both of their fathers played high school baseball with Donnie Savoie playing for the first ESJ team ever assembled in the school’s opening year in 1978. His father was also a head coach in St. John Parish, leading Leon Godchaux to a pair of state championships when it was the local high school.

&#8220It’s just something that has run in our family.”

Amanda says that

&#8220Donnie has another year,” she said of her little brother’s high school career. &#8220We get out and toss the ball around. I try to encourage it because one good year can get you a scholarship. But our little sister Allison might not take that route. She’s kind of girlie. Maybe she’ll do the cheerleader thing.