Comets, Rebs compose about half of All-State team for the season

By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

Coaches might sometimes tell a team that their whole is more than the sum of their parts. And with Riverside and St. Charles contributing 11 players in this season’s All-State baseball and softball selections, these local coaches had a lot of parts to work with.

The Rebels and the Comets each were recognized with three senior starters in the Class 2A honors, with three more players acknowledged in honorable mention between the two squads. Those accolades are more than any other 2A team even after accounting for the Ouachita Christian Eagles, who finished as the state runner-up. Combined, the two St. John schools make up about half of the baseball all-state team.

&#8220We had some players out this way, there’s no doubt about it” said Rebels coach Steve Stropolo. &#8220There were just so many seniors who had been waiting for their chance. And this was their year.”

Riverside had the edge in voting with five seniors recognized, including pitcher Jordan Porrier, first baseman A.J. Delaneuville and outfielder Lee Haydel as starters, with second baseman David Mabile and pitcher Jonathan Giroir getting notice with honorable mention. St Charles had four players honored including outfielder Kyle Olasin, catcher Chris Waguespack and Michael Oncale at utility. Matt Heltz received honorable mention.

After winning the state championship last month, the Rebels were well-represented in the announcements. Porrier earned the nod with a 7-2 record from the mound and clutch performances such as his two run walk off homer to top Menard in the semifinals. Delaneuville anchored first base for Riverside and batted .430 while Haydel covered centerfield and hit .473.

St. Charles’ district champion squad went undefeated through 10-2A this season, including the sweep of the state champion Rebels. Olasin led the Comets offensive firepower and was a leading batter on the all-state squad with a .480 average. Waguespack wasn’t far behind with a .463 and Oncale posted a 7-2 record from the mound.

In softball, two more from St. John parish got notice on the All-State team. Senior Lisa Lambert, of Riverside, was named as a starter in the outfield while sophomore Lauren Coniglio, of SCC, gets the start at catcher. Lambert batted .370 while helping the Lady Rebels squad reach the quarterfinals this season where they fell after a lengthy, 10 inning game with state champion John Curtis. Coniglio led the Lady Comets with a .498 batting average on the state runner-up squad.