Leesville, La. - Class B baseball in Vernon Parish proved to be alive and well in 2009, with four teams reaching the playoffs, including two getting to at least the state quarterfinals. As impressive as the teams were on the field this year, three young men at Hornbeck, Pitkin and Simpson proved to be just as solid in the classroom. Hornbeck senior Christopher Soileau was named first-team academic all-state in Class B at catcher, while Pitkin’s Chris McKee and Simpson’s Kade Martin were honorable mention choices. Soileau, a first-team all-district selection at catcher for the Hornets, batted .534 on the season with seven homers and 24 RBIs, along with 12 stolen bases. In the classroom, Soileau was good for a 3.5745 average, ranking among the best at Hornbeck High School. McKee, a first-team all-district selection in 5-B at third base, proved to be solid in many roles for the Tigers. He batted over .300 on the season and even pitched for Pitkin. In the classroom, McKee graduated with a 3.2449 average. Martin, a shortstop and pitcher for the Broncos, was a first-team all-district performer at shortstop, batting around .400 on the season. The classroom was just as easy for the Simpson graduate as he finished with a 3.8235 average.