MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / November 15, 2000

RESERVE – This past baseball season, Paul Labiche helped Reserve Christian make school history with its first appearance in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association playoffs.

Monday afternoon, Labiche made school history himself, becoming the Eagles’ first player to sign with a Division I program when he signed a National Letter of Intent with Southeastern Louisiana University.

“It feels real good,” Labiche said of signing the scholarship. “Growing up, Ididn’t think it could happen. It’s everybody dream to do it.”Labiche, a senior, chose SLU over UNO.

“I definitely liked the coaching staff and I know some guys on the team,” Labiche said of SLU. “And I like the atmosphere in Hammond.”Labiche was the District 12-B most valuable player and an all-River Parishes selection in 2000 after going 6-2 with an earned run average of 1.97 and 98strikeouts in 42 innings.

“SLU is getting a kid with a lot of potential,” Reserve Christian head coach Timmy Byrd said. “He has a bright future ahead of him. He’s somebody whoshould be their go-to guy. They are getting a good attitude and a kid who hasbeen raised well. And they are getting somebody who they shouldn’t have anytrouble with and that’s a coach’s dream.”Byrd said Labiche’s strong point is the velocity he gets on the ball but that he also has a good cut on his curveball as well.

Labiche said he will continue to work on his arm strength this offseason and next season to get ready for college.

“SLU is looking for someone to come in right away and make an impact,” Labiche said of getting playing time. “They said they will work with me nextseason so I can come in my first year and get playing time.”

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