Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

NATCHEZ — It is very unusual for a lowerclassman who plays high school varsity baseball to receive such an honor as All-District Player of the Year. That award is normally given to seniors who lead their teams to district championships.

Cathedral High School sophomore shortstop Tristan Fondren is now one of those rare recipients of such an honor as he was recently named the MAIS District 4-5A All-District Player of the Year after leading the Green Wave to the district title.

“He found out last week,” Green Wave head coach Andrew Beesley said. “As any kid, he was really excited. But he also understood that with the playoffs about to start (at that time), there was more work to be done.”

During the 2024 regular season in which Cathedral went 21-4 overall and 10-2 in District 4-5A, Fondren had a .423 batting average with a .542 on-base percentage. He scored 31 runs, had 20 runs batted in, and hit two double and three triples. Defensively, he had 56 attempts and committed just five errors. Beesley noted that during district play, his batting average was .531.

“It’s a very good honor to be named All-District Player of the Year,” Beesley said. “It shows all his hard work is paying off. It’s exciting as a coach to see your kids being honored for their hard work.”

In addition to Fondren’s achievement, three other members of the Green Wave made the District 4-5A All-District First Team — sophomore pitcher/catcher Owen Jordan as well as senior outfielders Jackson Navarro and Josh Ingram.