CARY, NC  ̶  Wednesday March 28^th marked the beginning of the annual National High School Invitational, one of the prestigious tournaments in the country for high school baseball, hosted by USA baseball. The tournament features 16 of the best high school baseball programs in the country, and this year sees Louisiana’s defending Division-I state champion, John Curtis, in the 16-team field.

The Patriots faced off against Hanover HS (VA) in the first contest of the tournament, ultimately claiming a 2-0 victory, and moving on to tomorrow’s second round matchup against American Heritage HS (FL).

Mississippi Gulf Coast JC recruit, 2018 RHP Ian Landreneau (John Curtis HS, LA) was extremely effective in his outing, tossing six innings of scoreless baseball for the Patriots, allowing only four hits, while striking out five, and walking one. Landreneau pitched 81-83 mph with his fastball, showed quality curveball with depth and shape, as well as quality feel for a changeup with deception.

Curtis’ took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 3^rd, as 2018 SS Brandon Davis (John Curtis HS, LA) would send a 2-out double down the right field line, and LSU recruit, 2018 3B/RHP Will Ripoll (John Curtis HS, LA) would follow with a single up the middle to bring Davis around to score.

The Patriots would get an insurance run in the bottom of the 6^th, as Louisiana-Lafayette recruit, 2019 OF/LHP Dax Ford (John Curtis HS, LA) would lead the inning off with a walk, and then Tulane recruit, 2018 OF/RHP Logan Stevens (John Curtis HS, LA) would shoot a hard double in the right-center gap to drive in Curtis’ second run of the day.

Curtis’ next game will be on Thursday, as the Patriots face off against national power American Heritage HS (FL) at 1:30 PM (ET). Be sure to follow us on twitter, as the Prep Baseball Report will have complete coverage from the 2018 NHSI.

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