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: Captain Shreve High School

Head Coach: Todd Sharp

Classification: Class 5A (Select D-I)

District: 1-5A

2025 Record: 24-13

2025 Playoff Finish: Regional Finalist

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 7

No. of Returning Pitchers: 4

Team Strengths: Starting Pitching, Infield Defense, & Offense

Top Returning Players: 2026 INF/RHP Andrew Sharp (LSU-Eunice), 2026 UTIL/RHP Jackson Gaskin, 2026 UTIL/RHP Denton Hester, 2026 RHP/1B Reed Turner, 2026 LHP Carson Adams, 2026 OF/RHP Brexton Lopez, 2026 Maddox Fuller (UTL/RHP)

Top Underclassmen (2028 & 2029 Class): 2029 OF Cooper McDaniel, 2029 UTL/RHP Baker Rouse, 2029 INF Cole Kenney, 2029 UTL/RHP Blage Lopez

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Team Preview

The Captain Shreve Gators enter the 2026 season with one of the most experienced rosters in North Louisiana and clear expectations to make a deeper postseason run. After back-to-back seasons ending in the second round, Head Coach Todd Sharp’s club brings back a senior-laden group that has the potential to push beyond that barrier this spring.

The Gators’ biggest strength lies in their starting pitching, as they return 18 of their 24 wins from a year ago. The trio of Denton Hester, Andrew Sharp, and Reed Turner headline a rotation that gives Shreve one of the more complete staffs in Class 5A. Four All-District hitters — Hester, Sharp, Brexton Lopez, and Jackson Gaskin — also return, giving the lineup a strong core of productive, veteran bats.

Coach Sharp believes the group’s offensive approach and ability to consistently produce quality at-bats will be another key advantage, along with improved infield defense thanks to the addition of Maddox Fuller, a transfer from C.E. Byrd who will provide much-needed depth when Hester, Sharp, and Turner take the mound.

With their main pitchers also being key position players, the Gators will face challenges in maintaining consistent defensive alignments. The need to shuffle personnel each game will be something to monitor as the team looks to find the right mix.

Top Returning Players

-Senior Denton Hester – One of the most complete two-way players in the state, Hester slashed .406/.562/1.245 across 138 plate appearances with 14 doubles, 4 triples, 2 home runs, and 21 RBIs. He also stole 25 bases without being caught. On the mound, he logged 51.1 IP, going 5-3 with a 1.77 ERA, 47 strikeouts, and just 10 walks — posting a sub-1.00 WHIP.

 

-Senior Andrew Sharp – A model of consistency, Sharp hit .394/.527/1.113 in 131 plate appearances with 11 doubles, 4 triples, 24 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. He also served as a reliable arm, tossing 30.1 innings with a 5-2 record, 3 saves, 36 Ks, and a 2.08 ERA.

 

-Senior Brexton Lopez – The lineup’s table-setter, Lopez hit .430/.555/.523 with 4 doubles, 3 triples, and 21 RBIs in 114 plate appearances.

-Senior Jackson Gaskin – Another key senior bat, Gaskin hit .360/.443/.430 with 7 doubles, 24 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases, providing steady production in the middle of the order.

-Senior Reed Turner – An important two-way piece, Turner hit .303/.395/.313 with 21 RBIs while also pitching 34.2 innings (2-2, 1 save, 2.63 ERA, 27 Ks).

-Senior Carson Adams – A dependable left-hander who notched two of the team’s biggest wins last spring against Central (BR) and Ruston.

 

-Senior Maddox Fuller – A senior transfer from C.E. Byrd and a twitchy athlete who can impact games both on the mound and in the field. His presence provides additional depth and versatility for this year's team.

 

Outlook

This 2026 Captain Shreve group is experienced, confident, and motivated. Twelve of the team’s thirteen seniors saw varsity action last season, with the lone newcomer (Fuller) bringing starting experience from a crosstown rival. With their senior-heavy core, the Gators are determined to take the next step — winning the district title, hosting a second-round playoff series for the fourth straight year, and ultimately breaking through to the LHSAA State Tournament in Sulphur.

Expect the Gators to once again be a tough, well-coached group built around strike-throwing arms, athleticism, and mature at-bats — a combination that could make Captain Shreve one of North Louisiana’s top contenders this spring.

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Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE	DATE	LOCATION
Lake Charles Preseason ID	1/3/26	Sam Houston High School (Moss Bluff, LA)
Lake Charles Rising Stars ID	1/3/26	Sam Houston High School (Moss Bluff, LA)
New Orleans Preseason ID	1/4/26	Hahnville High School (Boutte, LA)
New Orleans Rising Stars ID	1/4/26	Hahnville High School (Boutte, LA)
Baton Rouge Preseason ID	1/10/26	Zachary Youth Park (Zachary, LA)
Baton Rouge Rising Stars ID	1/10/26	Zachary Youth Park (Zachary, LA)