By RYAN ARENA

Sports reporter

After finishing as a state runner up in the 2007 prep baseball season, the question on the minds of many is: What can St. Charles do for an encore?

We may get some insight to that this summer.

As American Legion season kicks off, Townsend Homes, the St. Charles based American Legion team, will see many of the Comets’ key members from the state playoff run return. But more important to Coach Paul Waguespack is finding out who will step up in the aftermath of the graduation of several key seniors.

As senior starting pitchers Steven Duhe and B.J. Cancienne say goodbye to the Comet rotation, Waguespack says this summer will allow him to evaluate those who will attempt to replace them, particularly noting potential starters Donovan Duffy and Corey Reed.

&#8220We lost our top two guys coming into the summer,” Waguespack said. &#8220This summer is all about finding our starting pitching. Donovan Duffy, I’m looking for him to step up. He’s a senior, guy with a good curveball and changeup. He’ll get a chance to play. Corey Reed relies on a combination of his fastball and curveball, and will need to use this summer to prepare himself.”

Waguespack has high expectations for the two, stating that he’s counting on them to be his top two starters this summer and grow into their roles by next prep season.

Some familiar faces will also be in tow this summer, headlined by freshman second baseman Marc Picciola. Picciola will look to build on a stellar first year campaign where he garnered a number of top honors, including being named as District 10-2A MVP, the small school MVP of the Metro area, and to a spot on the Class 2A All-State team at a utility spot. Picciola batted .463 this past season and was equally efficient in the field.

Also returning in key roles will be junior outfielders Jordan Millet and Jonathan Cancienne, who Waguespack hopes will provide leadership in their upcoming senior year and credits with doing all the little things well.

Townsend Homes is part of the American Legion second district, which includes teams based out of Riverside, Destrehan (Valero St. Charles), and Hahnville (Otto Candies, LLC) among local schools.

RIVERSIDE READY

As Britt Waguespack prepares for his first year as baseball coach of Riverside Academy, he says he is looking forward to the summer season as a way to pit his team against the very best. The Riverside-based Fatty’s Restaurant team has a number of key players back from last season.

&#8220We need to compete at the level of the best, and Legion allows us to face the Rummel’s and the Destrehan’s of the world,” Waguespack says. &#8220It will allow us to improve.”

Riverside lost to Mamou in the bi-district round of the state playoffs this season, after finishing second to St. Charles in district play.

All-around junior star Jade Falgoust will lead the charge this summer for Fatty’s Restaurant, after being named as an honorable mention All-State performer. Falgoust led the River Parishes in hitting this past season, hitting .475 with 32 RBIs and four home runs. He was also a terror on the basepath, stealing 20 bases.

&#8220He’s going to play multiple positions for us, mostly at third and shortstop, and he’s going to pitch too,” Waguespack said. &#8220He’ll hit in the two hole.”

Wade Delaneuville, another senior-to-be, is expected to provide power in the middle of the order.