MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / March 10, 1999

RESERVE – When the Riverside Rebels took the field at Parkview Baptist for their first game of the 1999 season Feb. 23, a new era began for theprogram.

Long-time head coach Tommy Fernandez had retired after the 1998 season, concluding a career with the Rebels that included the 1995 Class 2A state championship.

Taking over for Fernandez is Marshall Crooks, a former catcher at Nicholls State. Crooks comes to Riverside from Bishop Sullivan where as anassistant coach, he helped the Warriors to two district championships and three playoff appearances over the last three years.

Crooks inherits a team that returns seven seniors from last year. TheRebels advanced to the regional playoffs last year before falling to the eventual state champions, Pope John Paul II.

The 1999 version of the team will have a new look, however, right down to new uniforms and caps. Crooks came in looking to inject more enthusiasmin both practice and game time. The team has adjusted very well to thecoaching change, winning six of its first seven games up to the Episcopal Tournament this weekend.

“Our motto is carpe diem, seize the day,” Crooks said. “I feel up to thispoint we have been doing that. Everybody is working together. There is noreliance on one person. Everybody is working together every time they steponto the field.”Crooks said the Rebels will be a very powerful team offensively. Throughthe first five games, the team had already hit six home runs.

“Everybody has good power,” Crooks said. “We have good team speed. It’san offense that can score runs quickly.”Sophomore second baseman Brandon Delaneuville leads off the lineup followed by junior left fielder Dustin Duhon. Senior third baseman JoeyPoirrier, coming off a season in which he batted .340, will hit third.Another senior, shortstop Dustin Zimmer, will bat fourth after hitting .448 with six home runs in 1998. Zimmer was especially hot duringdistrict play, batting .531 with four home runs and 16 runs batted in.Sophomore designated hitter Sean Delaneuville will hit in the fifth spot after batting hitting .438 as a freshman. Senior right fielder Ryan Romebats sixth followed by senior first baseman Casey Duhe. Sophomorecatcher Blake Duhe and senior center fielder Kenny Clement complete the batting order.

Coming off the bench will be freshman Britt Wagues-pack, sophomore Paul Labiche, juniors Chris Bourgeois, Seth Leblanc, Casey Remondet and Travis Klibert and seniors Keith Leblanc and Rusty Richard.

Crooks has also been very happy with his pitching so far. Bourgeois haspitched three low-hit games in winning his first three decisions. CaseyDuhe figures to be the staff’s ace with Poirrier being able to come in at anytime after going 5-1 a year ago. Brandon Delaneuville will be in themix as will Labiche whom Crooks recently got back from basketball.

“I am happy with the way Chris has taken control on the mound,” Crooks said. “Casey is a very consistent pitcher with good control. I know I cancount on him. Joey is able to step on the mound anytime and able to shutdown a team immediately.”Crooks, who is being assisted this season by Rodney Fuhrmann and Keith Childress, said consistency is the one thing the team has to focus on.

“We have to be consistent in our pitching, our hitting and our fielding,” Crooks said. “We have to keep in mind what we are looking to accomplish.”The Rebels are playing a very competitive schedule this season, one that includes Albany twice, Bishop Sullivan, East St. John and perennial powerArchbishop Rummel. That is addition to District 9-2A play, a district thatsent four teams to the state playoffs last year.

But Crooks said the team is adjusting well to his style and is confident that if the team continues to improve, they will be in the hunt.

“The kids are adjusting quite well,” Crooks said. “They are playing withexcitement and enthusiasm and are truly enjoying playing the game of baseball.

“If you play the game with excitement and enthusiasm and give 110 percent each time you step on the field, I feel it has to come to pass that you will be successful.”The Rebels are hosting the Riverside Tournament this weekend before traveling to H.L. Bourgeois Tuesday. District 9-2A play begins March 23 athome against West St. John.

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