Hahnville teammates Austin Perrin and Waylon LeBlanc recently signed their official letters of intent to play baseball at the collegiate level, with Perrin headed to the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and LeBlanc set for Nicholls State University. The left-handed ace of the Tigers’ staff, Perrin was coach David Baudry’s go-to guy in big game situations. He went 8-2 last season, recording a 1.19 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 70 innings pitched. He had 24 RBIs, 20 runs scored and had nine extra-base hits, tied for most on the team. He earned All-State honors as a junior and was District 7-5A’s Pitcher of the Year.
“To have the opportunity to play for Coach (Tony) Robicheaux and his program is an opportunity of a lifetime,” Perrin said. “I am very blessed and excited to be rewarded this chance, and I will definitely make the most of this experience. To be one of four pitchers and fourteen commits to a Division I school is truly an honor and I will work hard to make my family, coaches, and community proud.”
Baudry believes Perrin, who verbally committed after visiting ULL in April, is uniquely talented and can make an impact with the Ragin Cajuns.
“His stuff is very good. Austin knows how to pitch,” Baudry said. “He’s a rare breed in that he worries about his next pitch, not his last pitch or the pitches that are coming later on. He focuses on what he’s doing in the moment. That’s a trait good pitchers possess, be it in college or high school.”
As far as why Perrin has been so successful in big moments for the Tigers?
“His competitiveness, his intensity, his work ethic,” Baudry said. “Those things, along with his focus, makes him a tough guy to beat when the chips are down.”
The Tigers’ usual leadoff hitter, LeBlanc recorded a .405 on-base percentage and scored a team-high 27 runs. He drove in 12 runs and showed tremendous discipline at the plate, walking twice as many times as he struck out, a 26-13 ratio.
LeBlanc said Nicholls State appealed to him because it is a “hometown school that has that family type atmosphere I was searching for in a place to begin the next chapter on my journey.”
“Under coach (Seth) Thibodeaux, their program teachescore values of honor, respect and hard work which I am excited to be a part of,” LeBlanc said. “Having the opportunity to continue my education while playing the sport I love is a chance that few athletes get. I am extremely thankful and excited to join the Colonels.”
Baudry believes the Colonels got a steal with LeBlanc.
“He’s a tremendous athlete,” Baudry said. “He has great hands. His work ethic is second to none. Coach (Seth) Thibodeaux is really excited to see how he’s progressed.”
Baudry said LeBlanc is the type of hard-nosed competitor Thibodaux has focused on recruiting to build his program around.
“I think Nicholls is a great pick for Waylon,” Baudry said. “I think he’ll do very well there and I think he’s going to have a chance to make an impact early on.”
The two signed their letters as part of the early signing period for athletes, which extended from Nov. 9 to Nov. 18.
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