By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

The Hahnville softball team and Destrehan baseball team each found representation on the Class 5A baseball and softball teams this week as the Louisiana Sports Writers Association announced those rosters this week.

Destrehan’s Sam Carriere earned a spot on the baseball team and Hahnville’s Lauren Candies and Courtney Dutreix earned softball honors for their exceptional performances in 2010. And to top it off, Hahnville’s Kenneth Vial was named Class 5A coach of the year in softball.

Carriere led Destrehan this season with a .415 batting average. He scored 37 runs, drove in 30, and hit five home runs as he helped lead the Wildcats to the District 6-5A championship. Carriere was named the Most Valuable Player in the district.

“He was our sparkplug,” said Destrehan coach Marty Luquet. “A two-time Gold Glove winner in our district … he ignited a bunch of big innings and drove in some runs too from that leadoff spot. That’s a four year starter, so he’s spoiled me, I guess. He’ll be hard to replace.”

Meanwhile, Dutreix and Candies were instrumental in leading their Tigers to a historic season. Hahnville made its first ever trip to the state championship game behind Candies’ toughness on the mound (21-4 record) and Dutriex’s exceptional hitting (.419 average) and fielding.

Candies, a senior and signee with Jones County Community College, finished her career at Hahnville with 76 victories and two All-State berths.

“Her career ERA for us is 1.08, which is amazing when you consider she’s pitched for us since her freshman season,” said Vial. “With most kids, you just don’t know what you can expect from game to game. With Lauren, you always knew what you were getting, and that’s very rare.”

Dutreix made only two errors in 100 chances at second base this season and collected 52 hits.

“Every team’s coach talks about her. They all love her,” said Vial. “She’s a great two-strike hitter and rarely strikes out. If they put two on her, she’ll hit it hard somewhere. We felt like she’d get this recognition, and she’s deserving of any that she receives.”

Vial guided Hahnville to a 32-6-1 record and its first ever state runner-up finish, despite finishing third in its district.

The Tigers finished the year hot, going 14-1-1 before its loss in the state title game.

“Hahnville’s always had a successful softball program, but not at the tournament,” said Vial, who just completed his eighth season with the team. “This was a very special group. Not only talented, but they understood that you accept your role and pull for each other. The only way to be truly successful is to be unselfish.”

Vial also credited his staff.

“It should be the coaching staff of the year,” said Vial. “They really care about these players and what they do. My name goes on the award because that’s the way it’s set up, but they have everything to do with this team’s success.”

Destrehan’s Kurt McCune earned baseball honorable mention honors.