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: Plaquemine

Head Coach: Seth Montz

Classification: Class 4A (Non-Select D-II)

District: 6-4A

2023 Record: 16-18

2023 Playoff Finish: Lost in 1st Round to Breaux Bridge

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 5

No. of Returning Pitchers: 2

Team Strengths: Experience

Top Returning Players: 2024 RHP/C Caleb Weber, 2024 RHP Jacob Simoneaux, 2024 INF Najiel Williams (Southern University commit)

 

Team Outlook

Plaquemine finished last season with a 16-18 overall record and entered the LHSAA Non-Select D-II playoffs as the #21 seed.  The Green Devils season was unfortunately ended in the first round at the hands of a tough Breaux Bridge team.  Head Coach Seth Montz is excited about his team heading into this spring, as they return five position players and two pitchers from last year.  Coach Montz beleives that this year's team has plenty of talent and experience to contend for a district title, host a home playoff series, and potentially make it to the LHSAA state tournament.  If the off-season is any indication of how the Green Devils season will go, then it should be a good one, as they've worked extremely hard in the weight room and the gains are starting to show.  On the mound, Plaquemine returns their top two arms in seniors Caleb Weber and Jacob Simoneaux.  Weber went 3-4 last season with a 3.87 ERA to go along with 53 K's in 52 1/3 IP.  Simoneaux went 3-3 with 2 saves and a 2.62 ERA with 40 K's in 50 2/3 IP.  Senior Bryant Cady along with sophomores Christian Boudreaux, Chris Lee, Robert Daley, and Reese LaPrairie should all log meaningful innings this spring as well.  Offensively, Weber will also contribute with his bat and behind the plate, in addition to his duties on the mound, after hitting at a .314 clip with 23 RBI's last season.  Senior Najiel Williams had to sit out last year, after transferring in from Brusly, and will be a nice addition to the team in 2024.  The Southern University recruit has a lot of pop and will be relied upon to produce in the middle of the Green Devils order.  Sophomore Christian Boudreaux won the starting shortstop job as a freshman, half-way through last season, and has a chance to have a breakout year.  Senior Brayden Ourso is another returning veteran middle-infielder who was a 2nd Team All-District performer last year.  Holding down the centerfield spot for a second consecutive season will be senior Kohen Sanchez, who is an excellent defender.  A couple of young guys to keep an eye on are freshman Slade Sparks and eight-grader Isaiah Daley.  Sparks has the ability to play all three infield spots and does a really good job of hitting the baseball through the middle of the field.  He also could earn time on the mound, thanks to excellent FB command and an improving CB.  Daley is being brought up to the varsity as an eight-grader and could potentially see some time on the mound.  He's also a really good defender, who can catch and play infield, with a really good arm.  Coach Montz's mantra for this year's team is "FINISH", as last year's team lost eleven games where they had the lead, which resulted in eight losses by a deficit of two runs or less.  His message to this year's team has been to play as a "FAMILY"; to always have each other's backs and to always help push one another.  If the Green Devils can keep these two things center of mind this spring, then they can most certainly accomplish many of their goals which includes winning a district title, hosting a first-round playoff series, making the state tournament, and becoming the first team in school history to win 20 games.

 

 

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