Our Week 1 Game of the Week between St. Paul's and Catholic BR did not disappoint, as the Wolves defeated the Bears, by a score of 5-4 in 9 innings.  Week 2 has a lot of good matchups across the state, but there is one game that we will definitely not miss.  The 5-0 Live Oak Eagles travel to Lake Charles, LA to take on the 5-0 Barbe Buccaneers, for our Week 2 Game of the Week.  Expectations are high for both programs this year and they have not disappointed thus far.  Live Oak secured a big win over Catholic BR and Barbe defeated West Monroe; both this past weekend.  Jesse Cassard (Head Coach - Live Oak HS) began his coaching career at Barbe in 2003, learning under Barbe Head Coach Glenn Cecchini.  These coaches and teams know each other extremely well, so it will be interesting to see how the "chess match" plays out in this 5A clash.  Below, we take a look at the key players for both clubs ahead of their matchup on Friday 03/05/2021.  

 

Live Oak High School 

Head Coach: Jesse Cassard

Record: 5-0

Key Wins: John Curtis Christian HS, Catholic BR HS

Runs Scored: 41 (8.2 runs scored/game)

Runs Allowed: 7 (1.4 runs allowed/game)

 

The saying goes, "Pitching and defense wins championships", and the Eagles certainly have a plethora of options on the mound, especially left-handed pitchers.  2021 LHP Ethan Prescott (Baton Rouge CC Signee) looked sharp in his opening day start last week against John Curtis Christian HS, throwing 2 innings, giving up 1 ER, 2 H, with 3 K's and 0 BB.  Prescott lives in the 83-85 mph range with his FB, running it up to 86 mph, but primarily works off of his off-speed, which includes a CB and CH.  If Head Coach Jesse Cassard decides to go with more velocity, then he may turn to 2022 LHP Dawson Curtin (University of Louisiana Commit) or 2022 LHP Tanner Roberts.  Curtin has been a steady riser in the 2022 class, thanks to his mid-upper 80's FB, a clean delivery, and a SL that has really progressed over the last few months.  Roberts has a funky delivery and many would say that he is "effectively wild", with a ton of heavy arm side sink on his mid-upper 80's FB.  Offensively, the Eagles will be led by 2021 C Blaise Priester (Meridian CC Signee) and 2021 1B Brant Smith (LSU Signee).  Coach Cassard has been hitting Priester and Smith, 1 and 2 hole, to try and get them as many at-bats as possible, and both players have the ability to drive the ball out of the park at any moment.  The firepower on offense doesn't stop there as Live Oak has four other players in their lineup who have already committed and/or signed to play baseball collegiately: 2021 INF/RHP Kade Dupont (Baton Rouge CC Signee), 2021 INF/RHP Grant Landry (Baton Rouge CC Signee), 2022 OF Reid Broussard (Texas A&M Commit), and 2023 UTIL/C Cameran Christ (Mississippi State Commit).

 

Barbe High School

Head Coach: Glenn Cecchini

Record: 5-0

Key Wins: Sulphur HS, West Monroe HS

Runs Scored: 38 (7.6 runs scored/game)

Runs Allowed: 4 (0.80 runs allowed/game)

 

The Eagles have a ton of stars on their 2021 roster and the Bucs may have just as many, if not more.  We see the Bucs turning to one of two seniors, on the mound, for this game.  2021 RHP Jack Walker (Mississippi State Signee) seems the likely choice for Barbe.  The senior RHP had a nice to start to the season this past week by throwing 2 innings of no hit baseball on opening day vs. Sulphur HS, while striking out 3 batters, and then pitched 5.1 innings on Saturday vs. West Monroe HS, giving up 6 H and 1 ER, striking out 7 with 0 BB.  Head Coach Glenn Cecchini may decide to roll a southpaw out against the Eagles, and if he does decide to do so, we expect him to go with 2021 Adam Guth (University of Louisiana Signee).  The 6'5" LHP came in relief for 2 innings after Walker on Monday and gave up 2 H, 0 R, and struck out 2, while walking 0.  Guth then made his first start against Tioga last week, picking up the win, while giving up 3 H, 0 ER, 8 K, and 1 BB, across 4 IP.  Offensively, the Bucs are led by lead-off 2021 C Kyle Debarge (University of Louisiana Signee) and 2022 SS Gavin Guidry (LSU Commit).  Debarge is a tough out and takes quality AB's nearly every time he's up at the plate.  Guidry got off to a good start this past weekend by collecting his first HR of the year.  2021 OF Kameron Edwards (Eastern Kentucky University Signee) hits in the two-hole for Barbe and is a can do many things offensively and recorded his first HR of the year on opening day.  Other impact players for the Bucs include 2021 OF Ethan Medlin (East Mississippi CC Signee), 2022 3B Grant Comeaux, and 2023 2B Donovan LaSalle (University of Louisiana Commit).