By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Over his 13 years and more than 300 victories as St. Charles Catholic’s head baseball coach, Paul Waguespack has seen his share of primetime hitters take cuts for the Comets – and senior Chad McNeil “ranks up there with any of them,” he said.

McNeil will continue to swing for the fences at the college level.

The 6-foot-3 first baseman/pitcher signed with Holmes Community College (Miss.) Wednesday, inking officially at a ceremony Wednesday at SCC’s Cometplex fieldhouse.

“What more can you ask for? Everyone dreams of going to play college baseball,” said McNeil.

McNeil will have the opportunity to play every day, Holmes bringing him into the fold as primarily a first baseman.

“I think it’s a perfect fit for him,” Waguespack said. “They want him to play every day, which I know he wanted to do. He gets to be out on his own, away from home, which is good for anyone as they mature.

“And out there, he can hunt and fish … he’ll have the chance to do a lot of the things he loves.”

Said McNeil, “It’s big hunting country, and I’m a country boy at heart.”

McNeil has consistently been one of the Comets’ most feared hitters throughout his prep career. He hit .365 with two home runs, 12 doubles and 22 RBIs as a senior, batting in the 3-hole for SCC.

He blended speed with his considerable power, going 10 for 10 in stolen base attempts.

After a relatively quiet start to his final season, he finished on a roll.

“I just took more and more cuts, got in more tee work,” said McNeil. “Mostly, I increased my focus.”

Waguespack smiled when asked what set McNeil apart from the hitting pack.

“He’s arrogant,” said Waguespack with a chuckle. “He goes up there and he knows he’s gonna get a hit. He believes it, every single time. I think to be a great hitter, you’ve got to have a little arrogance to you. It’s a good thing.

“I’ve coached a lot of really good (hitters), and he’s one of the best I’ve ever coached. I couldn’t be more proud of him.”

McNeil said he’ll also have a chance to pitch at Holmes. He’s got plenty of momentum on that end after posting career best numbers on the mound this season.

He went 7-4 with a 0.83 ERA over 59 innings. He struck out 59 and walked 21. McNeil did not allow an earned run over his first 30-plus innings this season and allowed just seven all year.

He attributed his jump in productivity to increased control.

“I focused more on location with my fastball,” said the righthander. “When I’m getting in on the corners and finding my spots, they can’t really hit it.

“I’d been waiting for my senior year for awhile. I wish we could have gone a little further, but I’ve got a lot of great memories here.”