Rosepine, Louisiana, is a small city in Vernon Parish with a inhabitants of just below 2,000 individuals. It’s situated on the west facet of Louisiana, close to the Texas state line. Why am I speaking about Rosephine? As a result of it’s the house of LSU baseball participant, Ethan Frey.
Frey was a two-sport standout for the Rosepine Excessive Faculty Eagles. He starred because the quarterback on the soccer staff and as a catcher and pitcher on the baseball diamond.
Frey led the Eagles baseball staff to back-to-back 2A state championships in 2021 and 2022. As a senior, he had a .487 batting common with 13 homers, 64 RBI, 39 hits, 37 walks, and solely 12 strikeouts. He was the MVP within the state championship recreation in each seasons, and he was named Louisiana Mr. Baseball in 2022. Now, let’s rewind just a few years.
As he entered his Sophomore 12 months in 2019, Frey dedicated to play baseball for LSU. Former LSU head coach Paul Mainieri recruited him. For Frey, it was a dream come true. “Placing that Tigers uniform is each Louisiana child’s dream,” Frey mentioned. “To see that Tiger in your chest, these pinstripes, and the purple and gold is unreal.”
Little did Frey or anybody else know the way a lot the world would change quickly.
Frey entered his sophomore season using excessive after committing to LSU. Frey missed out on a full baseball season that spring because the world was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Whereas the world stood nonetheless, Frey continued to work. He remained dedicated to LSU and got here again to assist lead the Eagles to a state championship as a junior. As Frey entered his senior 12 months, his world would change once more.
After the 2021 baseball season, Paul Mainieri stepped down as the pinnacle coach of the LSU.
When a training change occurs throughout a recruiting cycle, it’s not unusual to see among the commitments that the prior coach had determined to commit and signal elsewhere. Frey remained loyal to LSU. The Tigers employed Jay Johnson in 2021, and through Jay’s first month on the job, he was launched to Ethan Frey and didn’t even realize it. Frey was at Alex Field Stadium collaborating in an Space Code baseball tryout when Johnson noticed him.
Because the story goes, Johnson was impressed. He launched himself to Frey and realized Frey was already a commit.
Admittedly, Frey was suspicious of Johnson attributable to Johnson being a coach from the West Coast.
“West Coast coaches – most individuals don’t love them down right here, however I suppose it’s working for us, so I’m not going to complain. He’s a terrific coach. I’m tremendous grateful he’s given me the chance,” Frey mentioned within the Tiger Rag characteristic.
Frey caught along with his dedication and signed with the Tigers on November 27, 2021.
Throughout his Freshman season on the Bayou, Frey performed in 19 video games and had 19 at-bats. He completed with a .263 batting common, going 5-for-19 with a double, three walks, six strikeouts, and 9 RBI. He didn’t get a ton of taking part in time, however he obtained to be part of the Tigers’ nationwide championship staff.
Throughout his Sophomore season, Ethan appeared in 34 video games, however a dislocated shoulder that required surgical procedure would knock him out for the rest of the 12 months. Whereas all of this is happening, the switch portal is working rampant in faculty sports activities.
Individuals had been getting into the portal left and proper, and when you’ve the expertise that Frey has, it could possibly be an attractive alternative to enter the portal and go begin elsewhere. He may begin wherever else within the nation. As I’ve mentioned just a few occasions on this article, although, he remained loyal to LSU.
By means of the highs and the lows, he stayed and competed each day. That’s an admirable trait that lots of people don’t possess as of late. Throughout his complete recruiting course of in highschool, throughout a pandemic, throughout a training change, he confirmed up and confirmed out each day.
LSU has had just a few gamers lately come by way of with that type of angle. It jogs my memory of Cade Beloso, one in all my favourite gamers from that 2023 nationwide championship staff. It jogs my memory of Josh Pearson, who has stayed at LSU and grinded it out after serving to the Tigers win the ship in 2023. Some children simply love LSU. They bleed purple and gold. Frey is one in all them.
This season, Frey has served primarily because the designated hitter for the Tigers, and he has been a star in that position. He has appeared in 55 video games and has a .359 batting common with 13 doubles, one triple, 13 homers, and 49 RBI. He has had just a few nice video games this season, however none have been greater than Sport 7 in opposition to Little Rock within the Baton Rouge Regional.
LSU wanted a hero to avoid wasting the day and ship the Tigers to the Tremendous Regionals, and Frey was that man. He completed the sport 4-for-4 from the plate with two doubles, a homer, and 4 RBI.
Additionally, Wendy’s, if you’re studying this, there must be some type of NIL deal for a man named “Frey (pronounced like fry)” going 4-for-4.
Johnson’s had loads of reward for Frey in 2025.
“Success was coming. He is the most effective. I’ve excessive opinions of plenty of our gamers, and none greater than Ethan,” Johnson mentioned.
Throughout all the regional, Frey went 6-for-16 (.375) from the plate with three doubles, one triple, one homer, and 6 RBI. The Tigers wouldn’t be internet hosting West Virginia within the Tremendous Regional this weekend if he had not proven up when the lights shone the brightest. Ethan Frey is a narrative of exhausting work, perseverance, and resilience.
Ethan is a man who has finished issues the fitting method. He additionally has a terrific help system. His mother and his older sister all the time put up nice issues about Ethan on social media. His dad, Ross, was as soon as honored earlier than a baseball recreation final 12 months as LSU thanked him for his navy service.
This weekend, Frey will probably be swinging away at Alex Field Stadium as soon as once more. I will probably be pulling for him and the entire different Tigers as I write in regards to the recreation, however I simply wished to take a second to focus on a man who deserves the highlight on and off the sector.
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