A platform that encourages healthy conversation, spiritual support, growth and fellowship
NOLACatholic Parenting Podcast
A natural progression of our weekly column in the Clarion Herald and blog
The best in Catholic news and inspiration - wherever you are!
-
July 7, 2018By Ron Brocato, Clarion Herald Sports
For LSU softball signee Shelby Wickersham and Delgado Community College’s new slugger, Stephen Klein, their senior seasons ended all too soon.Wickersham, Mount Carmel’s most dominant pitcher since Meghan Patterson ruled the Cubs’ mound from 2008-10, had her stellar final campaign end in the state tournament’s Division I semifinal game with a loss to district archrival Dominican.
Klein, who pitched and batted De La Salle to an outstanding 28-7 record, was eliminated from the Division II baseball competition in the quarterfinals of the playoffs.
But two things the recently graduated athletes have in common are their selections as the best players in their respective sports and Most Valuable Players on the Clarion Herald’s Elite softball and baseball teams.
Wickersham was the winning pitcher in 16 of Mount Carmel’s 18 victories, against just five losses. She posted an earned run average of 1.08 while issuing 232 strikeouts. And she batted .304 when not humiliating opposing batters.
In her 2010 senior season at MCA, Patterson finished with a 24-9 record, and she holds two Cub standards: low ERA of 0.34 and most strikeouts in a season, 451.
Like Patterson did, Wickersham will take the mound for the Lady Tigers.
De La Salle enjoyed its finest season in recent history in a very competitive district, joining football and basketball as premier sports at the school on “The Avenue.”
And Klein was a key factor in the Cavaliers’ rise. What he gave the Cavaliers was a productive player as a pitcher, first baseman and outfielder.
Hitting from the No. 3 spot in the lineup, Klein had a sparkling .494 batting average. He scored 32 runs and knocked in 34.
The future Dolphin posted an 8-2 record and a 3.50 ERA on the mound as the Cavaliers won eight of nine district games.
The two earned all-state honors in their respective classes.
The 2018 season was void of a division championship for the top baseball and softball teams in Archdiocese of New Orleans schools. But the group was not short of outstanding individual performances.
One unique effort was put forth by Dominican’s softball team, which despite an unremarkable 12-18 record scored playoff victories over Byrd (15-0) and Mount Carmel (2-1). From there, Dominican finished the season as the Division I runner-up.
No softball or baseball coaches were selected for recognition on the Elite teams.
2016 Elite Boys’ Baseball Team
Pitcher Cody Cook De La Salle Jr.
Pitcher Christian Hess Jesuit Sr.
Pitcher Kaile Levatino St. Charles Catholic So.
Catcher Chris Collet Holy Cross Sr.
Catcher Jordan Jensen St. Charles Catholic Sr.
Infielder Alex Wiltz Holy Cross Sr.
Infielder Collin Burns De La Salle Sr.
Infielder Will Spears St. Augustine Jr.
Infielder Brady Faust Brother Martin Jr.
Outfielder Evan Francioni Abp. Rummel Sr.
Outfielder Jacob Gaude Abp. Hannan Jr.
Outfielder Lloyd Nash St. Charles Catholic Sr.
Utility Jacob Sherer St. Paul’s Sr.
Utility Stephen Klein De La Salle Sr.
Utility Reese Satterlee Pope John Paul II Sr.
MVP Stephen Klein De La Salle
2016 Elite Girls’ Softball Team
Pitcher Shelby Wickersham Mount Carmel Sr.
Pitcher Caroline Julien St. Charles Catholic Sr.
Pitcher Allie Hutton Abp. Hannan Sr.
Catcher Meghan Authement Acad. of Our Lady Sr.
Catcher Gentry Spinks Abp. Hannan Fr.
Infielder Jordyn Perkins Mount Carmel Sr.
Infielder Alyssa Helwig Dominican So.
Infielder Riley De Laval St. Scholastica Sr.
Infielder Abby Alonzo Mount Carmel Sr.
Outfielder Kaitlyn Allen Abp. Hannan Sr.
Outfielder Kassi Cressonie Acad. of Our Lady Sr.
Outfielder Savannah Frieman St. Scholastica Sr.
Utility Jade Brady St. Charles Catholic Sr.
Utility Cecilia Hunter St. Scholastica Sr.
Utility Bela Brocato Dominican Sr.
MVP Shelby Wickersham Mount Carmel
