BROUSSARD – The Loreauville Tigers kicked off the first day of the District 7-2A baseball tournament in style, defeating Franklin Senior High School (9-5) by a score of 15-0. 

Jacob Ransonet’s inside-the-park home run capped off a strong performance for a Loreauville team that is hitting its stride at the right time. 

“Early in the year, we had a few struggles,” said head coach Jamar Lewis. “There were a few things going on mentally and we had to find ourselves. We’d let one mistake become five mistakes and we even got run-ruled a few times. Since then, we’ve been playing teams like Notre Dame and Catholic High, teams that are very good, and we’re playing them in tight ballgames. We’ve not allowed one mistake to snowball and derail us, so we’re growing. If we continue on that ascension, we’re going to be a tough team when we get to the playoffs.”

Junior LHP Austen Guilbeau was efficient on the mound against the Hornets, throwing four strikeouts from just 43 total pitches to secure the shoutout win. Seniors Blake Delcambre and Dylan Navarre each added a triple to their tally. Ransonet finished the game with two stolen bases and a double in addition to his homer in the first inning.

The Tigers, currently the No. 16 seed in the Division III Non-Select power ratings, still have a job to do in the regular season before they can begin a playoff run. 

The win over Franklin advanced Loreauville to a matchup against perennial rival Catholic High in the winning side of the bracket. The Panthers, currently the No. 4 team in the Division III Select power ratings, defeated Loreauville 3-0 earlier in the season.

After falling to CHS in March, and losing the district title in football and basketball this season, the Loreauville players are ready to get the better of their rivals at the red school. For Lewis, the familiarity the players have with one another will make Tuesday’s matchup another thrilling contest, regardless of who comes away with the win.

“I don’t see it as revenge, I see it as another important game,” he said. “I know that playing Catholic High is a big deal to the Loreauville community, but all of our games are a big deal. The most important thing is for us to be the best versions of ourselves. It’s fortunate that we have some familiarity with those guys. These guys have all grown up together and they know one another. We’ve seen some good arms this year, so we’ll be prepared to come out and at least give our best effort.”

A victory over Catholic High on Tuesday would keep Loreauville in the winners bracket where they would face either Delcambre or Houma Christian. Delcambre (13-11) is currently the No. 7 seed in the Division IV Non-Select power ratings, while Houma Christian (15-7) holds the No. 7 seed in Division III Select.