The 2026 high school baseball season is right around the corner, and as always, excitement is building across the Bayou State. Programs from every corner of Louisiana have been hard at work this offseason—honing skills, building chemistry, and setting their sights on a return trip to Sulphur for the LHSAA State Championships. As is tradition, the state is once again loaded with talent, from seasoned veterans to rising underclassmen ready to make their mark.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll take an in-depth look at teams from every region as part of our comprehensive season preview series. These previews will lead right up to Opening Day, followed by the release of our Power 25 Rankings and the return of our always-popular Game of the Week feature.

Throughout the spring, Prep Baseball Louisiana will continue to be your one-stop source for everything related to high school baseball across the state. Be sure to check back weekly for our Player and Pitcher of the Week honors, updated Power 25 Rankings, and plenty of additional coverage highlighting the stories, performances, and programs that make Louisiana baseball special.

*Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.  If you have not received a questionnaire and would like to fill one out, please email State Director Alex Armand at [email protected]

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High School Name: Ascensioin Episcopal School

Head Coach: Lonny Landry

Classification: Class 1A (Select D-IV)

District: 6-1A

2025 Record: 22-9

2025 Playoff Finish: State Quarterfinalist

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 5

No. of Returning Pitchers: 2

Team Strengths: Offense & Defense

Top Upperclassmen (2026 & 2027 Class): 2026 SS/RHP Preston Peebles, 2026 OF Hudson Campbell, 2027 RHP/3B Sport Gros, 2027 UTL/RHP Austin Adams

Top Underclassmen (2028 & 2029 Class): 2028 2B Aiden Johnson

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Team Preview

After a strong 2025 campaign that saw Ascension Episcopal advance to the state quarterfinals, the Blue Gators enter the 2026 season with confidence and continuity. Coach Lonny Landry’s club brings back a battle-tested core, particularly on the position-player side, and will again lean on an identity built around offense, defense, and unselfish team play.

Team Strengths

-Offense: A disciplined, pressure-based approach that emphasizes quality at-bats and forcing mistakes.

-Defense: Athleticism, range, and reliability up the middle give the Blue Gators a chance to control games even when pitching is young.

Team Weaknesses

-Pitching Experience: Limited varsity innings on the mound will require growth throughout the season, especially in high-leverage situations.

Top Returning Players

-Senior SS/RHP Preston Peebles: The unquestioned leader of the program, Peebles is a three-year starter coming off a decorated junior season that included All-State, All-District, All-Metro, and District MVP honors. He brings a team-first mentality, steady defense at shortstop, and two-way value that sets the tone for the entire roster.

-Junior 3B/RHP Sport Gros: A two-year starter and 1st Team All-District selection, Gros is a tough out with true gap-to-gap power. Defensively, he pairs excellent range with a plus arm at third base and adds important depth on the mound.

 

-Sophomore 2B Aiden Johnson: A 1st Team All-District performer as a freshman, Johnson is a reliable presence in the infield with advanced instincts and consistent defensive actions.

-Senior OF Hudson Campbell: Another 1st Team All-District returner, Campbell provides stability in the outfield and contributes on both sides of the ball with experience and poise.

Outlook

The 2026 Blue Gators return a strong nucleus from last year’s quarterfinal run, and the chemistry within this group stands out. This is a selfless, connected team that genuinely enjoys playing together—traits that often show up when it matters most in Class 1A.

While pitching depth and experience will be the biggest question mark early, Ascension Episcopal’s defensive strength should help bridge that gap. The emphasis will be on throwing strikes, trusting the gloves behind them, and letting the offense apply constant pressure with tough, competitive at-bats.

Coming off a productive offseason, the Blue Gators enter 2026 eager and motivated, with all the pieces in place to make another postseason push—and potentially take a step further.

 

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Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE	DATE	LOCATION
Louisiana Top Prospect Games: Upperclass (Invite-Only)	6/16/26	University of New Orleans (New Orleans, LA)
Louisiana Top Prospect Games: Underclass (Invite-Only)	6/23/26	University of Louisiana-Lafayette (Lafayette, LA)
New Orleans Summer ID	6/30/26	Tulane University (New Orleans, LA)