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: Calvary Baptist

Head Coach: Beaux Waddell

Classification: Class 2A (Select D-III)

District: 1-2A

2023 Record: 27-12

2023 Playoff Finish: State Quarterfinalist

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 7

No. of Returning Pitchers: 6

Top Returning Players: 2024 LHP Landon Fontenot (Louisiana Tech recruit), 2024 SS/CF Aubrey Hermes (Louisiana Tech recruit), 2024 LHP/OF Hutch Grace (Ouachita Baptist recruit), 2024 RHP/INF Landon Smith, 2025 SS/3B Judson Funderburk

 

Team Outlook

Calvary Baptist finished last year with a 27-12 overall record.  The Cavaliers 2023 season was unfortunately ended in the quarterfinal round of the LHSAA Select D-III playoffs, at the hands of Notre Dame, which spoiled their efforts at repeating as State Champions.  Head Coach Beaux Waddell will have to replace some key pieces from last year's team such as Jackson Legg (LSU-Eunice), Blayne McFerren (Louisiana-Monroe), and Kyzer Smith (Ouachita Baptist).  The good news for Coach Waddell and company is that they return the ace of their staff in senior Landon Fontenot.  The Louisiana Tech recruit is one of the top southpaws in the state and last season as a junior, he tallied 73 K's and posted a 1.20 ERA in just over 60 IP.  Offensivley, the Cavaliers return a few key pieces that will provide veteran experience in their everyday lineup.  Senior Aubrey Hermes finished last season with a whopping 57 total hits, which was good for a .397 avg.  The Louisiana Tech football recruit also drew 41 walks, scored 41 runs, and swiped 26 bases.  Senior Hutch Grace will help Calvary Baptist both on the mound and at the plate, as he hit at a .304 clip last season with 2 HR, 7 2B, 2 3B, and 17 RBI.  Junior Judson Funderburk looks to build on a fantastic sophomore campaign that saw him finish with a .351 avg. to go along with 9 2B and 17 RBI.  The Cavaliers have made a name for themselves as one of the teams to beat in the LHSAA Select D-III playoffs, as evidenced by their two state titles in the last four years, not counting the 2020 season, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  This year's team will have to replace some key players from a season ago, but they return the ace of their staff and have enough veteran pieces offensively, so we fully expect for Calvary Baptist to be a contender once again this spring.

 

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