A trio of the city’s best baseball players have one more chance to show why they are considered among the best in the state when they take part in the LHSAA All-Star Game on Friday and Saturday in Alexandria.

Catcher Shea Daly of Catholic High and pitchers Stefan Lopez and Nick White of New Iberia Senior High were pleasantly surprised when their respective coaches asked them if they would like to take part in the two-game series.

The three are members of the West team that will face an East squad at Bringurst Park at 7 p.m. Friday and again at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday.

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“I was real excited because I knew this was a big thing making an All-Star team,” said Daly. “The best players in Louisiana are playing.”

Daly and White shared MVP honors on The Daily Iberian’s 2009 Best of the Teche Baseball Team, which was announced on Sunday. Lopez was the MVP for the 2008 Best of the Teche team, chosen by the sports staff of The Daily Iberian.

All three already have signed college scholarships, Lopez with Southeastern Louisiana University, Daly with LSU-Eunice and White with Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College.

“It’s an honor to play in the All-Star game,” said Lopez. “We all know most of the guys in the game. It’s just a chance to play with a bunch of good guys. You don’t get a chance to play with so many great players every day.”

“It was a surprise for me,” said White of his selection to the team. “I just know I had a pretty good senior year pitching wise.”

White said he increased his velocity, and his record was the best of his high school career, despite playing against some quality opposition.

“Oh yes, this is my best year,” said White.

Other pitchers for the West team are Logan Norris of Benton, Philip Menou of Sam Houston, Tyler Domingue of Kaplan, Brody Colvin of St. Thomas More and Jon Chargois of Sulphur.

Jacob Frederick of Kaplan also is a catcher, while first baseman on the team include Spencer Petree of Captain Shreve and Alex Prestenbach of South Terrebonne. Second baseman are Brock Hebert of South Terrebonne and Kelley Williams of Parkway, while Jacob Lansdale of North DeSoto and Ryan Smith of Benton are the third basemen. Tyler Theriot of Sam Houston and Kade Garlinton of Evangel are the team’s shortstops.

Outfielders include Jamie Rachel of Oak Hill, Tanner Mathis and Eric Cutrera of Barbe, Blake Matherne of Belle Chasse, Matt Boydstun of Airline and Seth Bamburg of Evangel.

Cody Branch of Merryville and Garrone Greene of Elizabeth were chosen as designated hitters.

“I think the success of the (CHS) team helped,” said Daly of his being named to the team. “A lot of people underestimated us. When we started winning and blowing out teams people thought we shouldn’t beat, that gave people something to think about.”

Daly said he knows a few of the players, including Coleman and Frederick and the Sam Houston players, but is eager to meet the rest.

“I’m just looking forward to playing,” he said. “Everybody is there because they’re good at what they do.

“It’s a real privilege to get noticed by this team. It’s going to be fun playing in it.”

The East team features pitchers Chris Hutchinson of Denham Springs, Dillon Day of Dutchtown, Jordan Rittner of Jesuit, Anthony Vangessal of Tioga, Zach Lasuzzo of St. Frederick, David Napoli of Newman and Kory Keowen of Central.

Catchers are Evan Tageant of Franklinton and Wes Luquette of Newman. Infielders include first basemen Stephen Gandy of Sterlington and Phillip George of Family Christian; second basemen Landon Williams of St. Frederick and Alex Marse of St. Charles; third basemen Mason Katz of Jesuit and Taylor Abdalla of Loranger; and shortstops Justin Creel of Central and Patrick Donnelly of St. Paul.

The East outfielders are Blaine Posey of Denham Springs, Brandon Boudreaux of St. Paul, Alex Edward of Parkview, Truman Van Veckhoven of Neville, Matthew Richard of East Ascension and Tyler Cobb of Choudrant.

Designated hitters are Andrew Ray of West Ouachita and Chad Fortenberry of Northshore.

Lopez said that he and White plan to work during the week to get back into baseball shape after being off for a couple of weeks. A team practice is scheduled Thursday.

“I’ve heard of some of the guys (on the East team),” said Lopez. “Most of the guys on our team we’ve played against.”

“I’m just looking to have a good time over there and meet some new people who are going to play in the game,” said White.

All three also are looking forward to college.

“I’m ready to go play at that kind of level,” said Lopez. “I’ll be heading (to Hammond) in August. I’m looking forward to it.”

“I’m pretty excited about (college) coming up, just looking forward to it,” said White.