Four Louisiana Knight players, Mandeville’s Garrett Cannizaro and James Winget, Northshore’s Ryan Eades and Newman’s Wes Luquette, took part in the East Coast Professional Showcase Tryout in Jackson, Miss.

The event featured 60 of the top players from Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and the panhandle of Florida, who were invited by the Southeast Association of Major League Scouts.

The participants were vying for an opportunity to represent the southeast region and play five games in Lakeland, Fla.’s Joker Marchant Stadium, the spring training home of the Detroit Tigers. The players were evaluated on their hitting, ability to hit for power, defense and throwing. Everybody trying out participated in a simulated game.

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The scouts took 20-25 players, who will play in Florida against five other teams of similar caliber from different regions of the country from Aug. 1-4.

Three Knights, Cannizaro, Eades and Luquette, were selected for the Southeast team called the Padres.

Cannizaro said he had a good round of batting practice and hit two balls hard during the simulated game. He said he is excited about being selected.

“It’s the biggest accomplishment of my career. You’ve got to play your best in front of those scouts,” Cannizaro said. “It’s an honor to play with these kids. These are the best in the southeast United States.”

Eades, who threw an inning during the simulated game, said he faced five batters and allowed one hit with a strikeout and a walk. He said he threw mostly fastballs and topped out at 92 miles per hour while averaging between 87-90 on his heater. Eades said he is looking forward to playing in Florida.

“It was an awesome experience,” Eades said. “They called the next day round noon. I was excited. I’m honored and privileged to make the team and have the chance to go play down there.”

Knights’ coach Jack Cressend, who is also an area scout for the Tampa Bay Rays, said the event is a great chance for those who made it to be seen by many different scouts.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity to be selected. Every major Division I college will be there, and every Major League team will have three or four representatives to scout the players,” Cressend said.