By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

Eight River Parish athletes earned spots on the recently selected Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association’s All-State Team, highlighted by St. Charles’ Alex Marse, who earns Player of the Year honors for Class 3A.

Marse was selected after helping to lead his Comets to state runner-up honors. His tremendous senior season saw him hit .441, score 49 runs, knock in 26 RBIs and steal 28 bases. All the while, he delivered numerous clutch hits, including the game-winner in the state semifinals against Notre Dame.

Marse, who’s been called “the heart and soul” of the Comets by SCC coach Paul Waguespack, has signed with Southeastern.

He’s joined on the team by three teammates – SCC’s Brady Hitt, Brandon Becker and Jared Keating were all selected to the team.

An outfielder/first baseman/pitcher, Hitt put together a .416 average this season out of the second spot in the Comet batting order. He stole 26 bases. Becker led the Comets in RBIs with 40 and provided excellent defense at first base, in addition to a 7-0 record on the mound. Keating evolved into an ace lefthander, going 8-2 with a 1.97 ERA.

Pitcher Jordan Hymel, catcher Austin Roussel and outfielder Gavin Webster represent Lutcher on the team.

Webster hit an eye-popping .518 and drove in 27 RBIs for the Bulldogs during the regular season. Hymel was exceptional on the mound, nailing down a 0.68 ERA to go with a 4-0 record. He hit .367 this season. Roussel hit .455 and drove in 23 runs.

Destrehan ace Kurt McCune was the River Parishes’ lone Class 5A representative. His 2.70 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 59 2/3 regular season innings earn him a spot on the team.