Well, it is that time again.  It's been nearly 2 years since the last LHSAA State Tournament.  The 2020 season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  We are excited to get back to Sulphur, LA this week to see the state's top teams and players, across all classes.  This year's state tournament has a bit of a different schedule that everyone should keep a close eye on.  The first batch of semifinal games will begin tomorrow with Class 1A and will run through Saturday.  Below, we take a look at the Class 5A semifinal matchups that include a rematch of the 2019 state title game.

 

Class 5A

#6 Walker vs. #2 West Monroe

Date: 05/13/21

Time: 2 PM

Field: Field 41

The Walker Wildcats have been defying the odds all year, and are a "surprise" team in the state tournament to most folks in the state.  This is a well-balanced team, with good starting pitching, defense, and a lineup that can do a variety of things.  2021 RHP Grant Edwards (East Central Community College Signee) should get the start in this game.  We saw Edwards earlier this spring work his FB up to 91 mph.  West Monroe has been one of the favorites in Class 5A all season long.  The Rebels had to make it through a gauntlet of a schedule early in the year, but it seems to have paid off as they've been playing really good baseball as of late.  The offense has been good all year, led by 2021 CF Josh Pearson (LSU Signee).  We're excited to see him, as well as a pair of talented freshman who've been getting better and better each game in 2024 LHP/OF Trey Hawsey and 2024 INF Hayden Federico.  2021 LHP Lane Little (University of Louisiana-Monroe Signee) has been the workhouse starter all year long for West Monroe and we'd be surprised to see anyone else toe the rubber for a chance to play in the Class 5A state title game.  

 

Class 5A 

#4 Sam Houston vs. #1 Barbe

Date: 05/13/21

Time: 6 PM

Field: Field 41

Sam Houston and Barbe met in 2019 in the Class 5A state championship game, with the Bucs winning by a score of 8-2.  The two teams met twice during the regular season, with each squad earning a victory, and now they'll play for a third time in one of the most anticipated semifinal games of the tournament.  Sam Houston comes in playing some really good baseball.  After losing Game 1 of the quarterfinal round to Central (BR), they were able to win both games on Saturday, including an offensive explosion in Game 2.  2022 Andrew Glass (Tulane Commit) went 5-8 with 3 HR and 9 RBI between the two games on Saturday, to lead the way for the Broncos.  Barbe faced off with Haughton this past weekend in the quarterfinal round, winning the first two games of the series.  The Bucs received quality pitching performances, which has been the team's biggest strength all season, by 2021 RHP Jack Walker (Mississippi State Signee) and 2022 Gavin Guidry (LSU Commit).  Both guys will be available to throw on Thursday against Sam Houston, and it will be interesting to see who Head Coach Glenn Cecchini decides to go with.