2023 ST. TAMMANY FARMER ALL-PARISH BASEBALL TEAM

It was another season of great parity in St. Tammany Parish, making for some exciting games.

Several underclassmen shined, while many seniors went out with an impressive final campaign. Lakeshore, which had 12 seniors on its roster, finished as state runner-up trophy for the first time.

Following is the 2023 St. Tammany Farmer All-Parish Baseball Team.

The team, selected by Farmer sports editor Joseph Halm, is listed by the Pitcher, Hitter and Coach of the Year first, then by pitchers, catchers, infielders, outfielders and utility players in order of their last name alphabetically. Each player has their season highlights listed.

PITCHER OF THE YEAR

Dominick Letort, Lakeshore, senior

Once again, Letort was one of the most complete players in the parish. And it was his excellence on the mound that earned him this honor for the second straight season. And just like a year ago, he saved his best for the postseason. In three elimination game playoff starts, he allowed four earned runs in 21 innings with 13 hits, six walks and 22 strikeouts. He struck out 12 in an 8-3 state semifinal victory against Eunice. For the season, the UNO signee and District 8-4A Co-MVP went 6-4 with a 1.50 ERA in 60 innings with 65 strikeouts and 18 walks. When the Titans needed him the most, he was at his best. Letort was also impressive at the plate as he played first base when not on the mound. He hit .408 with 32 RBIs, 15 extra-base hits and 10 stolen bases.

HITTER OF THE YEAR

Steven Spalitta, Fontainebleau, senior

Spalitta, a Tulane signee and District 6-5A first-team selection, will likely play catcher at the next level, but he spent this past season at third base for the Bulldogs. That change of scenery defensively did not affect his production at the plate. He hit .451 with a .598 OBP with 35 runs scored, 24 RBIs, seven doubles and four home runs. Spalitta saved his best performance for the postseason as he went 6 for 11 with five RBIs with a home run, triple and double during a three-game series at top-seeded West Monroe.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Boomer Nunez, Lakeshore

Yes, the divorce was messy, but no one can argue with the results on the field. In his first and only season as head coach, Nunez guided the Titans to uncharted territory. First, they won their first semifinals game in school history. Then, Lakeshore competed in its first state championship game before falling to Iowa, 4-0. Along the way, the Titans won five elimination games. That’s a testament to Nunez’s trust in his players, especially the Titans’ 12 seniors. Lakeshore battled through adversity by taking on the hard-nosed personality of its coach.

PITCHERS

Caden Amie, Pope John Paul II, freshman

The District 7-2A first-team selection was dominant on the mound. He posted a 1.18 ERA in 47.1 innings with 55 strikeouts and 19 walks. He recorded a 6-3 record with four shutouts, and his only losses came to Catholic-Baton Rouge, Dunham and Holy Savior Menard.

Braden Farizo, St. Paul’s, junior

The District 6-5A first-team selection was a workhorse on the mound for the Wolves. He posted a 6-0 record with a 1.23 ERA in 51.1 innings. He struck out 40 with just 11 walks.

Evan Folse, Fontainebleau, senior

The District 6-5A first-team selection was a key starter for the Bulldogs. Folse posted a 5-0 record in 40.1 innings with 50 strikeouts. He had a 1.38 ERA and 1.339 WHIP.

Aiden Grab, Mandeville, junior

The District 6-5A first-team selection posted a 3-2 record with a 1.36 ERA in 58 innings. He struck out 58 compared to just nine walks for the Skippers.

CATCHERS

Preston Scott, Lakeshore, senior

The District 8-4A first-team selection was a rock behind the plate for the state runners-up. He provided excellent defense while batting .390 with 25 RBIs and nine extra-base hits.

Cooper Winchester, St. Paul’s, junior

Winchester was an important bat for the District 6-5A champions. He hit .341 with a .476 OBP with 22 RBIs, six doubles and four home runs.

INFIELDERS

Mason Estrada, Covington, senior

This is the District 6-5A MVPs second appearance on this team after being honored as an infielder last season. On the mound this season, the senior posted a 6-2 record with one save in 43.2 innings. He struck out 61 with a 0.802 ERA. At the plate, he hit .295 with a .492 OBP, including 38 hits, 32 RBIs, 29 runs scored, 12 doubles, four home runs and three triples.

Carson Johnson, Pope John Paul II, senior

The District 7-2A first-team second baseman was vital to the Jaguars’ success. He hit .402 with 19 RBIs, 12 extra-base hits and only five strikeouts.

Blaze Rodriguez, Pope John Paul II, sophomore

The District 7-2A first-team selection hit .382 with 10 extra-base hits and 18 stolen bases for the state quarterfinalists. Rodriguez only struck out twice all season and was a plus defender for the district champions.

Cade Rodriguez, Northlake Christian, junior

The District 7-2A first-team selection served a utility role for the Wolverines as a shortstop and pitcher. Rodriguez hit .445 with a 1.046 OPS. He recorded 26 RBIs, 20 runs scored, 10 stolen bases and nine doubles. On the mound, he posted a 3-1 record with a 3.60 ERA. He also had a .920 fielding percentage.

OUTFIELDERS

Kade Anderson, St. Paul’s, senior

The LSU signee was a dynamic center fielder for the Wolves. He hit .361 with a .514 OBP with 34 runs scored and 21 stolen bases. He also drove in 12 runs with four doubles, three home runs and two triples. He was also an excellent defender.

Corey Cousin, Slidell, junior

The District 6-5A first-team outfielder played a crucial role in center field and on the mound for the Tigers. He hit .374 with a .468 OBP with 27 RBIs, 24 runs scored, 12 stolen bases, seven doubles and six home runs. He was also efficient on the mount, recording four saves with a 2.86 ERA. He struck out 36 batters in 22 innings.

Jacob Lott, Pearl River, junior

The District 8-4A first-team outfielder was a crucial part of the Rebels’ quarterfinals run. He hit .385 with a .522 OBP with 16 runs scored, 15 RBIs, six doubles and five stolen bases. He was an excellent center fielder, posting a .975 field percentage.

UTILITY

Eli Lirette, Lakeshore, senior

The Tulane signee finished his senior season with a third straight selection to this team. He was a true utility option for the Titans this past season. The District 8-4A Co-MVP hit .389 with 45 runs scored, 32 stolen bases, 26 RBIs, 12 doubles and five triples. He was an excellent defender in center field. He also pitched, amassing a 4-3 record with a 2.57 ERA in 46 innings with 45 strikeouts.

Grant Simmons, Northshore, junior

The District 6-5A first-team selection was a workhorse on the mound for the Panthers. He posted a 5-2 record with 55 strikeouts and 37 hits allowed in 62 innings. He finished with a 1.36 ERA. After a tough start at the plate, he finished the season with 19 RBIs, 13 runs scored and seven doubles.

Trey Turnage, Pearl River, junior

The District 8-4A first-team pitching selection played seven different positions for the Rebels but spent most of his time at second base and pitcher. On the bump, he posted a 5-1 record with a save and a 2.71 ERA. He allowed 29 hits and a .207 batting average in 38.2 innings with 38 strikeouts. At the plate, he hit .287 with a .437 OBP. He had 24 runs scored with 11 RBIs, seven doubles and seven stolen bases. He saved his best for the postseason with a .636 batting average and a 1.000 fielding percentage.