Coaticook Rocket South Shore finished the regular season at the top of the Quebec Junior Elite Baseball League in the team batting average category with a .337 average, driven by standout individual performances across the roster.
Rocket Offense Leads Quebec Junior Elite League
The Coaticook Rocket South Shore captured first place in the Ligue de baseball junior élite du Québec team batting race after posting a .337 average through the regular schedule, according to league statistics. Head coach Steve Langlois guided a lineup that also led the circuit with 456 hits.
General manager Éric Poulin pointed to the team’s production at the plate as a core identity for the club. “We knew we had one of the best offenses in the league,” Poulin said. “It was one of our biggest strengths.”
Rookie Pitchers Gain Crucial Experience
While the offense dominated the league tables, pitching presented an initial hurdle for the franchise. Poulin noted that the team relied heavily on youth on the mound, particularly during the early months of the calendar.
“We had a lot of good young pitchers, but they lacked experience,” Poulin said. “They progressed, however. When you look at our numbers, our top five pitchers are rookies. That shows their strength. When they arrive next year, with a year under their belt, it’s going to give us the little boost we lacked to be among the teams contending for top honors.”
Individual Stars Set Records and Lead Standings
Several players earned top spots across league leaderboards during the campaign. Dérik Toutant finished first in the LBJÉQ with a .528 on-base percentage, while also ranking among the league leaders in being hit by pitches alongside teammate Zachary Clément.
Simon Roy contributed 57 runs scored and 27 stolen bases, showcasing his speed on the base paths. Marek Devost broke franchise records by driving in 73 runs, marking the third-best result in the history of the Ligue de baseball junior élite du Québec. Rocket management confirmed that Devost will return to the lineup next season.
Roster Outlook for the 2027 Season
Looking ahead to the upcoming year, management expects the roster to remain competitive while maintaining a youthful core. Poulin indicated that the team will not feature any 22-year-old players in its lineup.
“We are entering a cycle where the team will be very competitive,” Poulin said. “Our core group of players will remain young. Indeed, we will not have a single 22-year-old player in our lineup, which is unusual.”
The LBJÉQ draft is scheduled to take place at the beginning of next year.
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