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2026 LHSAA State Championship Series Preview: #2 Sam Houston vs. #8 Dutchtown

May 11, 2026
Alex Armand
Louisiana Scouting Director

Just like that, the 2026 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 (Non-Select), where #2 Sam Houston and #8 Dutchtown are set to collide in a showdown with everything on the line. The Broncos and Griffins have scratched and clawed their way through the postseason gauntlet, and now just one series — a best-of-three starting Thursday, May 14, 2026 — 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 2026 LHSAA State Tournament!

DIVISION I (NON-SELECT) STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PREVIEW

This year’s Division I (Non-Select) State Championship Series is shaping up to be one of the most compelling matchups of the postseason, as #2 Sam Houston takes on #8 Dutchtown beginning Thursday, May 14, at McMurry Park in Sulphur.

Sam Houston entered the spring as one of the clear favorites to compete for a state title and the Broncos have backed it up from start to finish. Dutchtown, meanwhile, hit a rough patch late in the regular season after dropping two games to Live Oak, but the Griffins have completely flipped the switch in the postseason and are playing their best baseball at the perfect time.

One thing is certain: both clubs bring an exciting brand of baseball to the field, which should make this an entertaining and highly competitive championship series.

Sam Houston Broncos

What more can you say about the job that Head Coach Chad Hebert and his staff have done in Moss Bluff?

After making a magical run to the state championship as the #11 seed last spring, the Broncos entered 2026 with the pressure and expectations that come with being one of the premier programs in Louisiana baseball — and they’ve handled it like champions all season long.

Sam Houston has been dominant throughout the postseason, sweeping all three playoff series en route to another appearance in Sulphur while outscoring opponents 30-10 along the way.

Pitching has been the driving force behind the Broncos’ run, led by junior ace Owen Galley. The former Future Gamer and McNeese State commit has been nearly untouchable this postseason, allowing zero earned runs across three playoff starts while striking out 28 hitters over 20.2 innings.

But this staff goes far beyond just Galley.

Junior Ty Smith has delivered a pair of quality postseason starts, while junior Colten Donaldson has excelled both in the rotation and out of the bullpen. Junior Brytn Gardner has logged meaningful innings all season long and already owns valuable championship experience after starting Game 3 of last year’s state title series. Then there’s sophomore Brock Blessington, who may possess some of the highest upside on the staff and has continued to give the Broncos quality innings throughout the spring.

Offensively, Sam Houston is one of the more complete lineups in the state with a dangerous blend of power, athleticism, and speed that allows them to pressure opponents in multiple ways.

It all starts at the top with seniors Carson Christ and Charlie Donaldson (Paris Junior College). Both are hitting north of .350 on the year and have tied the program’s single-season home run record with nine homers apiece.

Galley, Smith, and Gardner have also played pivotal offensive roles in addition to their work on the mound, giving the Broncos tremendous lineup depth.

What may be most impressive, however, is the maturity of Sam Houston’s talented sophomore class. Grant Oustalet, Kannon Keiser, Quinn Fiasconaro, Jackson Pruitt, Riggins Portie, and Peyton Bell have all contributed in meaningful ways and play with the poise of upperclassmen. More importantly, those underclassmen were part of last year’s championship run and already understand what it takes to win on the big stage in Sulphur.

Dutchtown Griffins

Much like Sam Houston’s improbable title run a season ago, Dutchtown has caught fire at exactly the right time.

The Griffins earned a first-round bye as the #8 seed before dispatching #9 Sulphur in the Regional Round. They then traveled to Lake Charles and stunned #1 Barbe in a three-game quarterfinal series before battling past #4 Zachary in last weekend’s semifinals.

After dropping Game 1 to Zachary, Dutchtown responded with back-to-back wins to punch its ticket to the state finals, further proving the toughness and resilience of this club.

The Griffins are led on the mound by senior right-handers Kason Johnson and Taylor Tunnard.

Johnson, a Co-Lin Community College signee, and Tunnard, a Hinds Community College signee, were the winning pitchers in Dutchtown’s quarterfinal upset over Barbe. Both possess the kind of stuff capable of beating anybody on a given night and have consistently delivered in high-pressure situations throughout the postseason.

 

Offensively, the Griffins may not be flashy, but they are relentless.

Dutchtown is filled with gritty, hard-nosed players who consistently compete and grind out quality at-bats. Through eight playoff games, the Griffins have scored 44 runs and have consistently found ways to generate offense in big moments.

Everything starts with senior leadoff hitter Eli Freeman. The Belhaven recruit is one of the more exciting players to watch in the state because of the pressure he creates every time he steps on the field. Freeman can drive the baseball into the gaps, beat out a drag bunt, or instantly change a game with his speed and aggressiveness.

Senior Cade Delaune (Delgado Community College) has been a major run producer in the middle of the lineup and delivered one of the biggest swings of Dutchtown’s postseason run with a go-ahead three-run homer in Game 3 against Barbe.

Fellow seniors Cooper Pickett (Delgado Community College), Owen Cavalier (Baton Rouge Community College), and Dawson Leblanc (Delgado Community College) have all played key offensive roles as well, consistently grinding through at-bats and finding ways to contribute. Junior Brooks Bumstead has also emerged as an important middle-of-the-order presence during the postseason and has delivered several timely hits for the Griffins.

Final Thoughts

Everything has built to this — #2 Sam Houston vs. #8 Dutchtown for the Division I (Non-Select) State Championship.

Both programs are led by experienced head coaches who understand what it takes to navigate a postseason run. Both feature deep pitching staffs, reliable defenses, and versatile offenses capable of winning games in different ways.

Will Sam Houston capture back-to-back state titles and further cement itself as one of Louisiana’s premier programs? Or will Head Coach Chris Schexnaydre guide Dutchtown to its first state championship since 2004?

No matter the outcome, this series has all the ingredients for a memorable showdown filled with elite talent, emotional moments, and championship-level baseball.

Louisiana high school baseball fans — buckle up. This one should be special.

DIVISION I (NON-SELECT) STATE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

-Game 1

Date: Thursday May 14, 2026

Location: McMurry Park - Sulphur, LA (Field 40)

Time: 5:30 PM

Home Team: #2 Sam Houston

Away Team: #8 Dutchtown

-Game 2

Date: Friday May 15, 2026

Location: McMurry Park - Sulphur, LA (Field 40)

Time: 5:30 PM

Home Team: #8 Dutchtown

Away Team: #2 Sam Houston

-Game 3 (if necessary)

Date: Saturday May 16, 2026

Location: McMurry Park - Sulphur, LA (Field 40)

Time: 5:30 PM

Home Team: #2 Sam Houston

Away Team: #8 Dutchtown

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