By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

Destrehan baseball stars Sam Carriere and Kurt McCune wasted no time making official their status as son-to-be collegiate players.

The Wildcat duo officially signed baseball scholarships last Tuesday, the first day of the NCAA’s early signing period.

McCune has signed to play at LSU, while Carriere will move on to Nicholls State.

A 6-3 right handed pitcher, McCune said it was a dream come true to play for the defending national champion Tigers.

“I’ve always wanted to go there, so when they offered me, I was taking it,” said McCune. “I’d visited there before, and I can’t ask for a better school.”

After pitching only seven innings as a sophomore, McCune broke out as a junior, posting a 2.86 ERA and going 6-3 at the top of Destrehan’s rotation last season. McCune struck out 72 batters in 73.1 innings. He helped lead the Wildcats to a district championship and the state quarterfinals.

With the bat, he was no slouch either – he hit seven home runs and knocked in 41 runs. He was an All-State selection last season.

McCune will join former DHS teammate Trey Watkins with the Tigers – Watkins signed with LSU recently after a successful freshman season at LSU-Eunice.

Regarded as one of the state’s top shortstops, Carriere was selected as a District 6-5A “Gold-Glove” recipient for his defensive play. He hit .269 in 2008, and will hit third for the Wildcats this season after batting in the second spot as a junior. Carriere hit four home runs, drove in 20 runs and scored 28 times.

He says his decision to go to Nicholls came down to having the chance to prove himself on the field at an early time.

“I wanted to go somewhere where I can show my abilities,” said Carriere. “Nicholls has a senior shortstop, so next year there’s a chance to play if I work hard and can take it. It’s potentially a lot of exposure for a freshman.”

Each agreed that the removed pressure to perform for scouts is a positive.

“Even as a freshman, I’d hear guys talking about scouts, and it puts the nerves in you,” Carriere said. “I know I’m going somewhere no matter what, so I can relax and let talent take over.”

Said McCune: “I didn’t want to worry about scouts, or look over my shoulder. I can relax and help my school.”

Destrehan coach Marty Luquet said it was a proud day for him.

“It’s always a thrill for a coach when you see guys that work so hard, that are driven, go on to play at the next level,” he said.

“Their hard work paid off.”