High School: Ascension Episcopal School

Classification: LHSAA 2A (District 7)

Head Coach: Lonny Landry

Team Strengths: Experience

Team Weaknesses: Lack of Playing Time Together

 

Top Returning Players

-2021 OF Wyatt Fox

-2021 RHP/INF Cole Simon

-2021 Willie Kerstetter

-2021 RHP/UTIL Preston Ocmand

-2022 LHP/1B Barret Hebert

-2022 RHP/INF Logan Overton

-2022 C Andrew Lee

-2023 CF/LHP Blaise Blancher (Texas A&M Commit)

-2023 SS Austin Mills

 

Team Summary

Ascension Episcopal, like most teams across the state, would have loved to have seen their 2020 baseball season through to the end.  The Blue Gators return 8 of their 9 starters from their 2020 club and they are hoping that the experience that they did gain, albeit a much shortened season, will help them as they look forward to making another run at the state tournament.  The 2019 Ascension Episcopal squad went 27-10 overall and lost a tough game in the state finals to Calvary Baptist.  Seniors Cole Simon and Preston Ocmand have been staples in the Blue Gators lineup over the last couple of seasons.  Both will play an important role on the mound and in the everyday lineup in 2021.  The biggest upside in the rotation is Junior Logan Overton, who remains uncommitted, but has multiple Division 1 offers.  Coach Landry believes that Overton, "has the stuff to dominate", and we agree.  The RHP sat 84-86 mph with his FB, topping out at 87 mph, last summer, with good downward tilt.  Sophomore Blaise Blancher, a Texas A&M commit, is probably the biggest name on this squad.  He will be relied upon to play CF, hit atop the order, and provide quality innings on the mound this season.  Austin Mills is another talented youngster to keep an eye on this season, as Coach Landry told us that Mills, "has a great presence on the diamond."  Mills is an athletic switch-hitter who will be the anchor of the infield playing SS.  Ascension Episcopal will have veteran experience in their lineup combine with a couple of talented  underclassmen that should make for a great roster this season.  Overall, this squad looks to have the ingredients of a team that we wouldn't be surprised to see in Sulphur at the state tournament again, and this time, the Blue Gators are looking to win it all.