Representatives from the Catholic High School, Loreauville High School and New Iberia Senior High School baseball teams fielded questions and provided insights on their teams at the annual baseball coaches program at Thursday’s Kiwanis Club meeting. 

Catholic High School

Jason Sullivan began by highlighting the Catholic High players who already have offers to continue their athletic careers at the next level. Lane Fenske and JohnDavid Hidalgo signed their letters of intent earlier this year and have already put in impressive performances this season. 

The Panthers are 5-4 on the season, with wins over E.D. White (6-5), Southside (1-0), Notre Dame (4-3), Teurlings Catholic (9-8) and North Vermilion (2-1). Close losses to Vermilion Catholic (4-3), Erath (4-2) and Teurlings Catholic (2-0, 3-2) don’t just give CHS crucial power points for later in the season, they also serve as early-season measures of how the team is improving, both mentally and physically.

Following tournament games over the weekend, the Panthers will travel to Vandebilt Catholic on Monday and District 7-2A rival Loreauville on Tuesday.

Loreauville High School

The Tigers were represented by longtime assistant coach Jamar Lewis, who took charge of the program just days before the season began following the departure of Rob Segura. Lewis spoke highly of Segura, who spent decades building the Loreauville program into perennial playoff contenders and state champions in 2018. 

Lewis’ appreciation for the Loreauville community was evident as he discussed the Tigers’ roster size this season. With 35 players on the team, Loreauville fields more players than programs in larger classes, something Lewis says is down to grassroots baseball development throughout the village. 

The Tigers have a losing record so far this season with wins over David Thibodaux (18-1), Assumption (5-1), H.L. Bourgeois (8-5) and Cecilia (3-0). Despite the losses, Lewis said that he was confident that his team, led by nearly 20 juniors and seniors, would be able to find its footing soon. 

New Iberia Senior High School

First-year head coach Blayze Romero, himself an alumni of the NISH baseball team, said that his philosophy for the season is to start with winnable games and build up momentum before beginning district play. 

So far, the tactic has paid off. NISH currently has a 7-2 record, with back to back losses to Vandebilt Catholic being followed by a dominant 13-3 win over the Terriers. 

Romero’s first choice pitcher is out for the season due to injury, but he believes his pitching staff still has the ability to grind out wins. Freshman Nathan LeBlanc, who also got snaps at quarterback this football season due to injury, will hit the mound often for the Yellow Jackets. 

Serving as motivation this season will be the senior class’ drive to make the playoffs for the first time. Romero’s research shows that there hasn’t been a class who have gone four years without a playoff game in nearly 20 seasons, something his team is determined to fix. Last season, the Yellow Jackets narrowly missed the cutoff despite ending the regular season with a 19-12 record.