Defensive improvements in the second game of the LHSAA Non-Select Division III quarterfinal matchup against No. 1 seed South Beauregard weren’t enough to keep the Tigers in the running as Loreauville exited the playoffs following a two-game sweep by the Golden Knights.

In the opening game of the two-game series, poor weather conditions exacerbated mistakes by the Tigers, giving South Beauregard a 16-0 win on Friday. Conditions improved for the second game, but the Tigers offense was unable to find the spark it needed to challenge the 2023 semifinalists, losing 6-0 on Saturday.

For Loreauville head coach Rob Segura, the South Beauregard pitching staff did a good job of keeping his team guessing throughout the series.

“They had two quality arms on the mound and they were tough. They were able to mix it up a little bit and keep us off balance. The conditions were bad, but they had to play in it too, so you can’t make that an excuse.”

South Beauregard pitchers Jace Duhon and Clayton Folks combined for 19 strikeouts over the two games.

The Tigers swapped pitchers rapidly in the first game, with Austen Guilbeau and Kaine Olivier each recording two strikeouts and Dylan Navarre recording three. Eli Finley started the second game on the bump for the Tigers, striking out two batters before being relieved by John Munnerlyn, who struck out five.

Throughout the playoffs, Loreauville turned to its experienced senior class to keep the run alive.

“We swept through the first round and then in the second round we lost Game 1,” Segura said. “(The seniors) did a great job of rallying the troops and coming back to win two on Saturday, which is very tough to do, especially on the road.”

The Tigers ended the season with a 21-15 record and several highlights, including being runners-up in District 8-2A and advancing to the playoff quarterfinals for the second consecutive season. Segura said that he was happy with how the season went overall and wasn’t trying to compare it to the success of the past.

“Every season is a season of its own,” he said. “Sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw, you play well at the right time and get the key hits when you have to. South Beau(regard) is a great team.”

As for what he hopes his team will focus on next season, Segura just had one word.

“Improvement. We just want to continue to step up and work on becoming good young men,” he said.