By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — The more things change, the more they stay the same when it comes to softball at Riverside Academy and St. Charles Catholic. 

For the Rebels, 2014 saw a fourth consecutive season of a finish as at least a Class 2A semifinalist. For St. Charles, it was another season of more than 20 wins. Both teams had to replace a large number of starters before the season began. It hardly seemed to matter. 

The 2014 All-St. John Parish Softball Team reflects this, with eight combined Rebels and Comets adorning the roster, including this year’s St. John MVP, St. Charles shortstop Emily Triche, and St. John Coach of the Year, Riverside coach Kristy Hebert.

Triche simply spent the entire 2014 season on base for the Comets, her .699 on-base percentage as leadoff hitter by far pacing the field. Triche scored 40 runs, drove in 28 more and hit .590 in 123 plate appearances. A keen batting eye saw the shortstop also draw 29 walks, coupled with her usual strong defensive play.

Hebert guided Riverside past a rocky early season start, a 4-8 beginning mark turning into a trip to the state semifinals. The Rebels rounded into one of Class 2A’s top contenders and threatened to best top-seeded Oak Grove in that semifinal game, taking an early lead before ultimately falling 10-5. RA ultimately finished 18-12, going 11-3 over their last 14 games. 

Four of Hebert’s Rebels make the squad: junior Erica Delaneuville, sophomore Toni Hebert, freshman Madison Watson and junior Hailey Tassin. Each of the four players hit .391 or higher and the quartet combined to drive more than 90 runs. 

Joining Triche on the team are three Comet teammates in freshman Morgan Nobile, sophomore Destiny Wesley and senior Jessica Mire. St. Charles scored 10 or more runs in 17 games this season, those players reaching base at a combined clip of over .500. 

West St. John is represented on the team by senior Sydnei Young, who broke out in 2014 with 100 strikeouts in 14 starts. 

East St. John’s Ciera Eugene rounds out the list, the senior shortstop/outfielder providing steady, consistent play for a very young Wildcats team.