Just like that, the 2025 Louisiana high school baseball season is down to its final chapter. What began back in January with dreams and determination has now led to the biggest stage in the Bayou State — the LHSAA State Tournament in Sulphur, LA. McMurry Park will be the epicenter of Louisiana baseball this week, as communities rally behind their teams in pursuit of championship glory.

All eyes will be on Division I (Select), where #1 Catholic BR and #3 Brother Martin are set to collide in a showdown with everything on the line. The Bears and Crusaders have scratched and clawed their way through the postseason gauntlet, and now just one series — a best-of-three starting Thursday, May 15, 2025 — stands between them and the State Title. Strap in, because this one has all the makings of a classic. Make sure to follow us on all social platforms for nonstop coverage of the 2025 LHSAA State Tournament!

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DIVISION I (SELECT) STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PREVIEW

Our staff believed from the start that two teams stood above the rest in the Division I (Select) bracket — Catholic (BR) and Brother Martin. Now, those preseason expectations have come to fruition, as the Bears and Crusaders are set to meet with a state title on the line. Both programs feature veteran leadership and deep, talented pitching staffs — setting the stage for what should be a thrilling best-of-three series beginning Thursday night at McMurry Park in Sulphur.

Catholic (BR) Bears

The defending Division I (Select) State Champions are back — and aiming to make history. Catholic enters championship weekend with a 35-5 record and is looking to become the first team in program history to win back-to-back state titles. Even more impressively, the Bears’ senior class has a chance to claim a third state championship in four years — a feat few in Louisiana high school baseball have accomplished.

Head Coach Brad Bass and pitching coach Tyler Naquin have developed one of the premier pitching pipelines in the state, dating back to the days of Aaron Nola and, more recently, William Schmidt. This year, junior Lucas Lawrence has taken the reins as the staff ace. The former Future Gamer and Southern Miss commit has been dominant all spring, racking up wins over elite competition including John Curtis Christian, Zachary, and West Monroe. Lawrence commands four pitches for strikes, highlighted by a fastball that touches 90 mph.

 

Behind him, fellow junior Mills Richardson (Southeastern Louisiana commit) has been a consistent presence in the rotation, working off a mid-to-upper 80s fastball with a slider and changeup. Junior Hayes Segar has thrived in high-leverage relief roles, while senior arms like Jake Tompkins Jr. (Mississippi College), Bennett Smith, Cohen Leblanc, and Davis Emonet have all logged valuable innings — giving the Bears unmatched depth on the mound.

At the plate, Catholic’s offense has lived up to the hype, especially in the semifinals when they exploded for 25 runs and six home runs across two games against St. Thomas More. The senior trio of Noah Lewis (Louisiana-Lafayette), Jack Ruckert (LSU), and Andrew “Clap” Clapinski (LSU-Eunice) headline one of the most dangerous top-of-the-orders in the state. Lewis has shown newfound power this spring, while Ruckert caught fire in the semifinals, going 4-for-5 with three home runs. Clapinski has been the heartbeat of this team — a clutch hitter and a trusted field general behind the plate.

Former #Super60 participant 2025 Jack Ruckert (Catholic BR HS) is having some kind of day for the Bears.

The @LSUbaseball recruit leads off the 7th with solo blast to RCF, which is 3️⃣rd home run of the day.

Catholic BR now leads 5-3 over St. Thomas More. #BeSeen@ShooterHunt |… pic.twitter.com/7wQcAqkPTZ

— Prep Baseball Louisiana (@PrepBaseballLA) May 10, 2025

The offensive firepower doesn’t stop there. Junior Harrison Kidder, one of the top uncommitted prospects in the 2026 class, has been a steady run producer in the heart of the order. Senior Davis Emonet (LSU-Eunice) brings a versatile skillset, capable of bunting for a hit or launching a home run. Meanwhile, Edward and Orlando Henriquez (both Alvin CC commits) consistently give the Bears quality at-bats and help turn the lineup over.

Brother Martin Crusaders

Brother Martin’s 2025 class has long been hyped as one of the best in school history — and this weekend, they’ll have the opportunity to prove it. Head Coach Jeff Lupo and the Crusaders return to the state championship stage for the first time since 1996, and the journey hasn’t been easy. In the semifinals, they survived a gritty three-game battle with district rival and No. 2 seed Holy Cross. After getting no-hit in Game 2, the Crusaders bounced back in dominant fashion with an 8-0 win in Game 3 to punch their ticket to Sulphur.

The Crusaders’ pitching staff is led by senior Cole Navarro, who now holds the school record for career wins. The UNO signee earned win No. 26 last week against Holy Cross and continues to cement his place in Brother Martin history. Navarro works quickly and attacks hitters with a fastball in the mid-to-upper 80s, complemented by a sharp curveball and late-fading changeup.

 

He’s joined in the rotation by the Tingstrom brothers — senior Jude (Delgado CC) and junior Blaise. Jude, a savvy lefty, throws strikes and mixes well, while Blaise brings a bit more velocity and a top-to-bottom breaking ball. Together, this trio gives Brother Martin a balanced, playoff-tested rotation built for a best-of-three format.

At the plate, the Crusaders have scored 39 runs during their playoff run, powered by a senior-heavy lineup. Senior Stan Wiltz (UNO) sets the tone at the top of the order with his bat control and versatility. Behind him, Arizona State commit Ryan Darrah — one of the most productive hitters in Louisiana — provides impact from the left side and speed on the bases. Seniors Reece Roussel (Centenary College) and Cody Kropp (Shelton State CC) anchor the middle of the lineup and bring experience and power to the order.

 

Two underclassmen have also stepped into key roles this spring. Sophomore shortstop Brody Shannon has taken over the nine-hole and does a great job turning the lineup over, while sophomore Brady McCluskey, a high-motor left-handed hitter, has flashed promise with his bat speed and approach.

 
Final Thoughts

After a long, grueling season, it all comes down to this — #1 Catholic (BR) vs. #3 Brother Martin for the Division I (Select) State Championship. These are two of the most complete teams in Louisiana, each with veteran arms, explosive lineups, and head coaches who know how to win in May.

Will Catholic’s senior class leave behind a historic legacy with back-to-back titles? Or will Brother Martin’s long-awaited return to the championship stage end with the Crusaders hoisting their first state trophy in nearly 30 years?

We’ll find out when they say “Play Ball!” this weekend at McMurry Park.

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DIVISION I (NON-SELECT) STATE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

-Game 1

Date: Thursday May 15, 2025

Location: McMurry Park - Sulphur, LA (Field 41)

Time: 5:30 PM

Home Team: #1 Live Oak

Away Team: #11 Sam Houston

-Game 2

Date: Friday May 16, 2025

Location: McMurry Park - Sulphur, LA (Field 41)

Time: 5:30 PM

Home Team: #11 Sam Houston

Away Team: #1 Live Oak

-Game 3 (if necessary)

Date: Saturday May 17, 2025

Location: McMurry Park - Sulphur, LA (Field 41)

Time: 5:30 PM

Home Team: #1 Live Oak

Away Team: #11 Sam Houston

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