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: E.D. White

Head Coach: Matthew Plitt

Classification: Class 4A (Select D-II)

District: 8-4A

2025 Record: 24-20

2025 Playoff Finish: State Finalist

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 6

No. of Returning Pitchers: 4

Team Strengths: Experience

Top Upperclassmen (2026 & 2027 Class): 2026 INF Evan Arcement, 2026 UTL Grant Barbera, 2026 C Carter Douglas, 2027 RHP Grant Kirkpatrick, 2027 LHP Owen Blanchard

Top Underclassmen (2028 & 2029 Class): 2028 LHP/OF Carter Falgoust, 2028 INF/RHP Brock Melancon

 

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Team Preview

Fresh off a trip to the 2025 LHSAA Select Division II State Finals, the E.D. White Catholic Cardinals return in 2026 with unfinished business and a veteran group that knows what it takes to play on the biggest stage. Head Coach Matthew Platt’s squad brings back an experienced and battle-tested lineup, along with the majority of its pitching staff — returning 215 of the team’s 290 total innings pitched from last season — giving the Cardinals a strong foundation as they look to make another deep playoff push.

The Cardinals’ greatest asset entering the new season is their experience and depth. Nearly every key contributor from last year’s State Runner-Up team returns, giving E.D. White one of the more balanced and cohesive rosters in Class 4A. A reliable group of arms and versatile position players provide flexibility and stability in all phases of the game.

Top Returning Players

-Senior UTL Grant Barbera

The definition of a “do-it-all” player. Barbera impacts the game in multiple ways, both at the plate and on the mound. He hit .283 with a .419 OBP, driving in 25 runs and collecting 36 hits, while also tossing 32.1 innings with a 3.90 ERA. Expect him to be a key two-way leader once again.

2026 QB1/MIF Grant Barbera (ED White HS)

6’1” 190 lbs.

Was all over the barrel tonight for the Cardinals out of the three-hole. Hit an opposite-field double earlier and lines this one right at the SS. Finished 1-3 with the 2B, 2 RBI, & 2 R. Good looking @PB_Uncommitted junior.… pic.twitter.com/nZCO44lCKt

— Prep Baseball Louisiana (@PrepBaseballLA) March 7, 2025

-Senior INF Evan Arcement

A consistent and reliable piece in the infield, Arcement hit .289 with a .393 OBP and 37 hits as a sophomore. Known for his steady glove and competitive at-bats, he’ll continue to anchor the Cardinals’ defensive unit and provide quality offensive production.

 

-Junior RHP Grant Kirkpatrick

The right-hander was a workhorse on the mound last spring, logging 68 inningswith a 2.36 ERA and 41 strikeouts. Kirkpatrick pounds the zone with three pitches for strikes and should once again be the tone-setter in the rotation.

 

-Junior LHP Owen Blanchard

A crafty lefty who complements Kirkpatrick perfectly, Blanchard worked 53 inningswith a 2.50 ERA and 41 strikeouts. His ability to mix speeds and command the baseball gives E.D. White a dependable 1-2 punch.

-Sophomore LHP Carter Falgoust

A promising young talent who contributed in all facets as a freshman. Falgoust hit .271 with 26 hits and 16 RBIs, while also throwing 37.2 innings with a 3.34 ERA and 34 Ks. His versatility makes him a valuable asset for Coach Platt’s lineup and pitching staff.

 

-Senior C Carter Douglas

The senior backstop brings leadership, defensive steadiness, and sneaky athleticism. A solid defender who can also handle the bat, Douglas is expected to take a big step forward offensively in his final season.

 

-Sophomore INF/RHP Brock Melancon

Physical 5-11, 240-pound frame.  Melancon is a guy that Coach Platt & company are expecting to take another step forward this season.  He can really drive the ball in the gaps and will also have a role on the mound this spring.

 

Outlook

The theme for 2026 in Thibodaux is simple: “Whatever It Takes.” Coach Platt and the Cardinals aim to be excellent in every phase of the game — doing the little things right, while also making big-time plays in big-time moments. With a senior class that has already played in multiple high-pressure postseason games and a group of talented underclassmen who have grown into key roles, E.D. White looks primed to remain among the elite programs in Louisiana.

If they can stay healthy and continue to execute the fundamentals that carried them to Sulphur last spring, don’t be surprised if the Cardinals are once again contending for a championship in 2026.

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2026 E.D. White Baseball Schedule 

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Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE	DATE	LOCATION
Lake Charles Preseason ID	1/3/26	Sam Houston High School (Moss Bluff, LA)
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