JPRD Spotlight
Nick Pontiff
JPRD 1999-2001
LSU 2005-2009
After being slotted
as the starting second baseman for the 13 year old World Series Runner Up 1999
squad, Pontiff suffered a devastating eye injury, sidelining him for the early practice
games for the Bulldogs. This Wally Pip scenario saw his back-up play so well
tat it was difficult to break into the line-up. In 2000 and 2001, he led the
Metairie Blue Devils to solid playoff appearances, only to be thwarted by Jimmy
Cesario’s led Cleary Rebels and Johnny Giavotella’s led Jefferson Mustangs.
After being released in 2001 from Billy Babin’s 15-year old JPRD all-star
squad, Nick thrived for the New Orleans based independent team, the Spice.
At Jesuit, Pontiff
contributed to two district championship teams and was a staple for the 2004
prep state runner up team, comprised of tone of the best lineups in Louisiana
State Prep History.
After redshirting
his first year at LSU under Coach Smoke Lavelle, Pontiff contributed mightily
for the lowly 2007 Tigers under the new regime of Paul Manieri. As the Tigers reloaded with solid recruiting,
Nick was forced to platoon. He came up big in his World Series action for LSU,
collecting hits against Rice and Arkansas.
Pontiff’s single and run scored against the Razorbacks in 2009 aided the
Tigers in collecting its first World Series ring since the 2000 squad, led by
his brother, Wally. Known for his high
socks and quick glove, Nick pushed through adversity. After releases by JPRD clubs and a Jesuit
Varsity squad in his sophomore campaign, Nick kept working and found himself
meeting President Bush on the White House lawn after LSU’s 2009 victory in
Omaha.