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: Holy Savior Menard

Head Coach: Jordan Marks

Classification: Class 2A (Select D-III)

District: 4-2A

2023 Record: 29-8

2023 Playoff Finish: State Finalist

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 8

No. of Returning Pitchers: 2

Team Strengths: Pitching & Defense

Top Returning Players: 2024 RHP Coen Laroux (Centenary College recruit), 2024 UTIL Cooper Scott (LSU-Eunice recruit), 2024 SS Gavin Hilton, 2024 1B Drake Aldredge, 2024 C Ben Wade (College of the Desert recruit), 2024 OF Case Butterfield (SAU Tech recruit), 2024 OF Carter Marcantel, 2024 RHP Michael Henry, 2024 OF Jay Guillory

Top Newcomers: 2024 MIF Trey Curley, 2024 3B Nate Bilbo, 2024 OF Jayden Williams, 2027 MIF Reeves Scroggs

 

Team Outlook

Holy Savior Menard finished the 2023 season with an overall record of 29-8, which was good for one of the best finishes in program history.  The Eagles made it all the way to the LHSAA Select D-III State Title game, and unfortunately lost to St. Charles Catholic.  The good news for Head Coach Jordan Marks and company is that the Eagles return a lot of experience with eight starting position players and two pitchers back from a season ago.  Most of these guys have been starters for a couple of years and with thirteen seniors in total there will be a lot of veteran leadership on the field at all times.  The biggest missing piece from last year's team will without a doubt be Andrew Prejean.  The Meridian Community College freshman right-hander went 11-2 last season with 101 K's and was the District MVP and an All-State selection.  The Eagles will have to use a combination of guys to make up for Prejean's 75 IP last year, and they have a good nucleus of arms to do just that.  Senior Michael Henry was very effective out of the bullpen last season, as he posted a 4-0 record and earned 3 saves with a 1.01 ERA in 2023.  Senior Coen Laroux also returns to the pitching staff this year, after earning 2nd Team All-District honors last season.  Senior Cooper Scott is a "do-it-all" type of utility man for the Eagles and should log valuable innings as well.  The LSU-Eunice recruit was a 1st Team All-District and All-State selection last year.  Managing the pitching staff will be returning senior catcher Ben Wade.  The College of the Desert recruit hit at a .339 clip last spring with 12 2B and 18 RBI, while also throwing out 44% of attempted basestealers.  Senior Drake Aldredge returns at first base, after hitting .336 last season with 3 HR and 31 RBI, while also fielding at a .976 clip.  Senior Gavin Hilton returns at shortstop after finishing last season with a .944 FLD%.  Hilton also finished with a .308 avg. last spring with 15 RBI and 11 SB.  Senior Carter Marcantel was an on-base machine in 2023, as he hit right at a .333 clip with 20 RBI, 29 R, and 17 HBP.  Seniors Case Butterfield and Jay Guillory are two additional returning starters in the outfield for the Eagles as well.  Holy Savior Menard fans will also get to see several new faces who are ready to make their mark in 2024.  Trey Curley and Nate Bilbo are two seniors who should see time in the infield.  Senior Jayden Williams is a potential starter in the outfield who has some varsity experience.  Reeves Scroggs is a young guy to keep an eye on as well.  Scroggs is a freshman middle-infielder with an advanced understanding of infield play and good bat-to-ball skills at the plate.  Coach Marks told us that the expectations for this year's team are the same as last year's - to be back in Sulphur, LA with a shot to win a state title.  The Eagles return a ton of guys who saw what it took to reach the state title game and Coach Marks told us that they are all very hungry and determined to get back there this season.  We fully expect this year's Holy Savior Menard team to make some noise come April, as they will definitely be a contender for the LHSAA Select D-III State Title.  

 

Follow on Twitter: @PBR_Louisiana
Follow on Instagram: @PBR_Louisiana

 

+ Click HERE to create a free profile.

+ Click HERE to purchase a subscription which gives you access to additional information on the site. 

 
Related Content: