After winning the 2021 Class 2A state title in dramatic style with a 1-0 championship game victory over Doyle, Ethan Frey and his Rosepine teammates turned in a dominant run to this year’s title, going 33-2.

Frey, a senior catcher/pitcher led the way, hitting .487 with 13 home runs, 64 RBIs and 28 runs scored. As a pitcher, he was 5-0 with two saves and a 0.77 ERA, with 43 strikeouts in 27 innings pitched.

For that, Frey is winner of the Mr. Baseball award, presented annually to the state’s most outstanding player.

Frey said he knew the Eagles were having a special season when they began piling up district wins.

“Right when district hit, I knew it was going to be some of the tougher teams we were going to play all season, and when we did what we did (going undefeated in District 5-2A play), I knew that we would have a shot to go back-to-back,” Frey said.

The Eagles did just that, closing the season with 27 consecutive wins, including two wins at the state tournament by a combined score of 25-0.

“Those were our best games, when we had to turn it up a notch,” Frey said. “We definitely did that and played great games when we knew it was going to be our last time playing together.”

Frey said he was able to improve every aspect of his game.

“I stepped up my game defensively this year,” he said. “As a hitter, I was able to hit for a better average and add more power, extra-base hits and RBIs. As a pitcher I was more experienced and mature, learned what Coach (Jeff) Smith was thinking while calling pitches and how to make hitters uncomfortable.”

Frey has signed to play at LSU next season and said he will bring his same approach to Baton Rouge.

“I want to keep working hard like I have, stay humble and not get too big for who I am,” he said. “I want to take it one step at a time and not let the hype get to me.

“I matured a lot more over the course of high school, learned to take it one at-bat at a time and let what happens happen.”