OCS Sends Three To LSUE
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
The Opelousas Catholic pipeline continues pumping talent into the LSU-Eunice baseball program.
Three former OCS standouts who have played a significant part in shaping the Vikings’ success over the past couple of years, became the latest Vikings’ players to sign with the Eunice school All three announced on Friday during an afternoon ceremony in the school gymnasium that they are continuing their athletic careers at the perennially successful LSUE program.
Carter Stelly, John Parker Trahan and Kross Gillen were featured in the OCS gymnasium as each signed intent letters to play baseball for the Bengals.
The three signees complement the recent signings of former OCS players Jordan Luna and Rowen Bergeron, who signed scholarships over the last couple of years to play for LSUE, which has won eight Division II national championships under head coach Jeff Willis.
Stelly, who played a variety of positions for the Vikings, said he is willing to play anywhere for the Bengals, since his advantage might possibly be his versatility.
At OCS Stelly was an outfielder and pitcher.
Trahan, who recovered from a hamstring that was partially torn during the early part of the football season to play baseball this spring, thinks he will play somewhere in the Bengals’ infield.
Gillen, who also played outfield in high school, intends to use his extensive pitching repertoire to land a spot on the Bengals’ pitching staff.
All three said they are familiar with the Bengals program.
“I’ve gone to a bunch of camps there and I learned about what you have to do. Coach Willis runs a very disciplined program and I know what I am going to have do to,” said Stelly.
Stelly feels that he has a chance to pitch for the Bengals.
“I have a fastball, a slider and a cutter,” said Stelly.
Trahan was also introduced to Bengals’ baseball with his summer camp attendances.
“The coaches there are great and after going to the summer camps, I really loved it there,” Stelly said.
At OCS Trahan played shortstop, but at LSUE he thinks that he will be installed at second base.
“Compared to shortstop, second base is kind of chilled out. Shortstops have to cover a lot of ground and they are involved in just about every play,” Trahan pointed out.
Gillen said he appreciates the intensity that Willis exhibits.
“Coach Willis is a proven winner and that’s what I want. I have more love for baseball than any other sport, so that’s what I want to do,” Gillen said.
Gillen said he has an assortment of pitches that include a slider, changeup and a couple of curveballs.
Vikings’ head baseball coach Justin Boyd said the three signees are being rewarded for their hard work and love of the game.
“They’re in it for the future and they are going to a winning program that has been winning championships,” said Boyd.
