DHS ace lands on All-State team for second straight year

Finished season with 9-0 record, 0.97 ERA

Destrehan ace Kade Granier achieved a rare honor when he was selected to the Class 5A All-State team for the second year in a row.

Granier was the only player from St. Charles Parish to land on the squad after an impressive senior season where he went 9-0 from the mound with an astounding ERA of 0.97. He struck out 76  batters in 72 innings pitched.

Granier also excelled from the plate, finishing with a .315 batting average to go along with nine doubles and five home runs.

Former Destrehan head coach Marty Luquet had high praise for Granier, calling him one of the best pitchers he coached during his illustrious career.

“He was the most dominant pitcher in Louisiana (in 2014) as far as I’m concerned,” Luquet said. “With him on the mound, we had a chance to beat anybody.”

Granier ended his Destrehan career with the third most wins in school history and the second-best single season ERA.Luquet cited Granier’s composure as a big reason behind his success on the mound.

“A lot of times, high school baseball is about not beating yourself,” Luquet said. “Kade never walked people in big situations. If his teammates made mistakes, he got better.”

Granier’s fastball tops out at around 86 miles per hour, but Luquet said it was his accuracy that set him apart.

“He throws hard, but he’s not going to blow anyone away. His location is great. Not only can he locate his fastball, but he can locate his breaking pitches,” Luquet said. “When his changeup gets better, he’s going to be phenomenal.”

Granier will continue his baseball career at Southeastern Louisiana University next season.

“The jump from high school to college is huge, so he’s going to have to make that adjustment,” Luquet said. “I think the upside for him is very big. He’s 6-foot-five and he’s going to get stronger. Once he puts that man muscle on, he’s going to be really good.”

Luquet also praised Granier’s work ethic, calling him a great example for Granier’s two younger brothers to follow.

“He works hard, he prepares and he’s not going to get into any trouble,” Luquet said. “He’s an excellent students and very respectful. I know this is overused, but he’s one of those guys you want around your house.”

During his junior season, Granier finished the year with a 6-3 record. He hit .411 as a junior with a team-leading 42 RBIs. He made the All-State team in 2013 as a first baseman.

 

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