By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE – Under Riverside coach Britt Waguespack, the Rebels have displayed a pretty similar script to their fans over the past two seasons: a rocky start, followed by a surge into the playoffs, and a finish in the state quarterfinal round.

This summer, Waguespack hopes to see the Rebels’ summer team, Fatty’s Restaurant, build on the success of reaching the quarterfinals yet again.

But he sums up the main goal of the summer with one word: consistency.

“We’ve been up and down,” said Waguespack, who enters his fourth summer as Riverside/Fatty’s coach. “We don’t want to be good one day, then great the next, then poor the next. We need to be solid at all times.”

Fatty’s will play independent ball this summer, as opposed to American Legion play.

A number of key pieces return. Seniors Dylan Martin, Bryant Tassin, and Ritchie Terrio will return, as well as junior Tate Scioneaux. The Rebel losses are headed by All-State infielder Chase Bazile, and Waguespack says he’s counting on his returning veterans to pick up the slack.

“Experience has to take the reins for us,” said Waguespack. “We have a ton of talent coming back, so we feel pretty good.”

Playing a schedule that allows for four or five games a week, the coach says he’ll get a good look at who is best fit to fill certain roles.

Of his returning players, he says Terrio and Tassin may be in for the biggest changes. Both will see more time on the mound, and Terrio will see more time in the field from his usual designated hitter slot. Tassin, likewise, could see more action in the outfield from his first base position.

“When Ritchie’s in the field, things work out a little better for us, because it lets us get another hitter into the lineup,” said Waguespack.

Fatty’s was scheduled to open its season Friday night in Baton Rouge with a doubleheader, facing St. Michael’s and Ponchatoula. Fatty’s is also scheduled to play today, with the team’s schedule dependant on its results Friday.