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: Vinton

Head Coach: Dane Clark

Classification: Class 2A (Non-Select D-IV)

District: 5-2A

2023 Record: 14-14

2023 Playoff Finish: Lost in 2nd Round vs. DeQuincy

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 7

No. of Returning Pitchers: 4

Team Strengths: Leadership

Top Returning Players: 2024 INF/RHP Bryce Taylor, 2024 INF/RHP Connor English (Champion Christian commit), 2025 INF/RHP Zander Paladino (Champion Christian commit), 2026 INF/RHP Gage Guidry

Top Newcomers: 2025 C Conner Courmier, 2025 OF Cameron Reeves, 2027 OF Cobe Durio, 2027 INF Kortlin Kyle

 

Team Outlook

Vinton finished the 2023 season with a 14-14 overall record and earned a playoff berth as the #14 seed in the LHSAA Non-Select D-IV playoffs.  The Lions defeated South Plaquemine in the first round, before their season ended in the 2nd round at the hands of district foe DeQuincy.  Head Coach Dane Clark and company are eager to get this season going with the return of seven position players and four pitchers off of last year's squad.  Coach Clark believes that last year's team got a taste of success and are hungry for more this season.  The Lions have put in a ton of work over the off-season, as the team has been lifting three days a week at 6 AM, which has built a lot of team chemistry with players leading and holding each other accountable.  Offensively, the Lions will be lead by a couple of seniors in Conner English and Bryce Taylor, who have both started since their freshman year.  English hit at a .304 clip with 27 R and 25 SB a season ago.  He was the catcher last season, but with the return of junior Conner Courmier, he'll get to move back to the infield, which only strengthens the entire team.  Taylor finished last season with a .305 avg. to go along with 18 RBI and 23 R.  Sophomore Gage Guidry looks to build on a fantastic freshman campaign that saw him hit at a .342 clip with 14 RBI, 16 R, and 20 SB.  Guidry is also the Lions top returning pitcher, as he went 7-2 last season with a 2.65 ERA to go along with 76 K's across 55 IP.  Junior Cameron Reeves will be a starting outfielder, while also logging some innings on the mound.  Junior Zander Paladino looks to have a much improved junior campaign on the mound, after goign 2-3 last year with a 6.12 ERA.  A couple of young guys to keep an eye on are freshmen Cobe Durio and Kortlin Kyle.  Durio will play one of the three outfield positions, while Kyle will likely play third base, while also logging innings on the mound.  Coach Clark has a good nucleus of players back from last season's team that experienced a successful season, and based off their off-season work, it seems as if they're hungry for a lot more.  If the Lions can stay healthy and can continue to gel as a team, we fully expect them to have one of their best seasons yet.  

 

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