Whitecaps Honor Andre Derouen, Jr. in opening day ceremony

The Galveston College Whitecaps baseball team honored former player Andre Derouen Jr. in a ceremony Friday, Jan. 25, at Bernard Davis Field before winning the season opening game against Temple College by a score of 5-3.

Andre, who was a freshman outfielder on the Whitecaps roster, drowned in March 2018 while rescuing his younger brother from a neighborhood pond not far from their League City home.

Many family members, friends and teammates were in attendance, including Andre’s parents, Andre, Sr. and LaTashia Derouen, and brother, Desmond Derouen.

Long-time Houston Astros announcer and Galveston native Bob Ford emceed the day’s events.

During the ceremony, Galveston College paid its respects to Andre by retiring his No. 1 jersey. The jersey will be displayed, along with a special plaque presented by the Galveston Kiwanis Club, on the right field wall.

Andre was a standout baseball and football player at Hitchcock High School before playing for the Whitecaps.

In Friday’s second game, Temple split the series by a score of 15-4.

The Whitecaps (1-1) travel to Justin, Texas, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 1-2, to take on Seward County Community College of Liberal, Kansas, at Northwest High School. Game times are 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 1 p.m. on Saturday. For more opening day photos, click here.