The 2024 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state.  Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Louisiana.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Sulphur, LA, home of the LHSAA State Championships, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality.  We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Louisiana.  We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, followed by our Power 25 Rankings release, and our popular Game of the Week segment. 

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the bayou state.  Each week, we will be releasing our players of the week, updating our Power 25 Rankings, and many more pieces of content.  

*Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.

 

High School Name: Ascension Episcopal

Head Coach: Lonny Landry

Classification: Class 2A (Select D-I)

District: 8-2A

2023 Record: 23-12

2023 Playoff Finish: Lost in 2nd Round to Holy Savior Menard

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 4

No. of Returning Pitchers: 4

Team Strengths: Pitching & Defense

Top Returning Players: 2024 OF Alex Caillier, 2025 LHP Hayden Pearson (UL-Lafayette commit), 2025 RHP/INF Jackson Devey, 2025 C Luke Falgout, 2026 INF Preston Peebles

 

Team Outlook

Ascension Episcopal finished last season with a 23-12 overall record, which earned them the #10 seed in the LHSAA Select D-III playoffs.  The Blue Gators season was ended in the second round at the hands of a talented Holy Savior Menard team that ended up making the LHSAA State Tournament.  Head Coach Lonny Landry is excited and optimistic about this year's team thanks to four returning pitchers off of last year's team.  Leading the staff will be junior LHP Hayden Pearson.  The UL-Lafayette recruit has a durable 6'0" 190 lbs. frame and is a smooth mover down the slope with a clean arm action.  We saw Pearson at a December workout for Team Louisiana at McNeese State and his bullpen was definitely impressive.  He worked his FB in the 85-87 mph range and it showed good life through the zone.  Pearson tunneled a mid-70's SL off of it well with good shape and late break, to go along with a developing CH.  We wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Pearson's FB velocity starts to touch 90-91 mph this spring.  Junior Jackson Devey will be relied upon both on the mound and on the infield, as will sophomore Preston Peebles.  Senior Alex Caillier will offer the team a veteran presence in the outifield, while junior Luke Falgout returns as the team's starting catcher.  If the old saying, "pitching and defense wins championships" holds true, then the 2024 Blue Gators should be in good shape to make a deep run in the playoffs.

 

 

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