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: Southside High School

Head Coach: Eli Lewellyn

Classification: Class 5A (Non-Select D-I)

District: 3-5A

2025 Record: 20-12-1

2025 Playoff Finish: Did Not Make Playoffs

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 8

No. of Returning Pitchers: 2

Team Strengths: Returning Position Player Experience

Top Upperclassmen (2026 & 2027 Class): 2026 INF/RHP Kannon Templet, 2026 INF Connor Freeman, 2026 OF Landen Gibson, 2026 INF/RHP Mason Olivier, 2026 INF Isaiah Medina, 2027 OF/RHP Parker Dies, 2027 UTL Dylan Menard, 2027 INF Evan McBride

Top Underclassmen (2028 & 2029 Class): 2028 INF Connor McCraine, 2028 INF Cohen Melancon

 

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Team Preview

The Southside Sharks enter the 2026 season as one of the more experienced teams in District 3-5A, returning eight position starters and two arms from last year’s roster. Head Coach Eli Lewellyn’s club narrowly missed the postseason in 2025, but with the amount of returning experience and senior leadership, expectations are high in Youngsville this spring.

Lewellyn’s message this offseason has centered on competing relentlessly, showing passion and resilience through adversity, and executing at a high level regardless of opponent. With a veteran lineup and a rotation anchored by proven upperclassmen, the Sharks are aiming to make school history by earning a playoff berth — and pushing beyond it.

Top Returning Players

-Senior INF/RHP Kannon Templet

The unquestioned leader of this year’s squad, Templet was a two-way standout in 2025, earning 1st Team All-District (3-5A) honors at third base. At the plate, he hit .389 with 4 HR, 1 3B, and 5 2B, while on the mound he turned in an impressive 8-3 record with a 1.96 ERA, 57 Ks, and a .982 WHIP across 57 IP. A top-of-the-order bat and one of the team’s top arms, Templet’s poise and consistency make him the engine that drives the Sharks.

 

-Junior OF/RHP Parker Dies

A two-sport standout and the team’s starting quarterback in the fall, Dies started as a sophomore and hit near the top of the lineup, posting a .286 AVG with 1 HR, 3 3B, 3 2B, 21 RBI, and 25 runs scored. His athleticism, competitiveness, and versatility make him a key piece both offensively and defensively — as well as a player to watch among Louisiana’s 2027 class.

-Senior INF Connor Freeman

A steady and dependable defender up the middle, Freeman returns after hitting .346 with 6 doubles and 21 RBI last spring. The 1st Team All-District Utility selection brings valuable experience and defensive leadership to the infield.

-Senior OF/RHP Landen Gibson

A trusted arm who threw in several big games last year, Gibson logged 37 innings with a 3.21 ERA and 29 strikeouts, while also driving in 21 runs at the plate. His composure and experience on the mound provide depth and stability to the Sharks’ pitching staff.

-Senior INF/RHP Mason Olivier

A versatile defender who made key plays at first base in 2025, Olivier can handle multiple infield and outfield roles as needed. He’ll once again bring value through his glove and ability to move around the diamond.

 

-Senior INF Isaiah Medina

Another key returning piece, Medina hit .244 and offers positional flexibility between shortstop and third base. His experience and defensive reliability add to the Sharks’ strong infield unit.

-Junior INF Evan McBride

Poised for an expanded role this spring, McBride quietly had a productive offensive season last year, hitting .385 while striking out just three times in 41 plate appearances. His ability to put the ball in play and drive contact gives Southside a consistent bat in the lineup.

-Junior UTL Dylan Menard

A hard-nosed, blue-collar player who contributes all over the field. Menard impressed as a sophomore and will be relied on to fill multiple defensive spots depending on matchups and who’s on the mound.

Top Underclassmen

-Sophomore INF Connor McCraine

A name to remember in the program’s future. McCraine put up impressive JV numbers as a freshman, hitting .525 with 6 doubles, 2 triples, and 1 HR, showing advanced barrel control and offensive upside for his age.

-Freshman INF Cohen Melancon

A left-handed hitter with a growing frame and improving strength, Melancon has made noticeable strides both in the weight room and on the field since the summer. He represents another promising piece of the Sharks’ young core.

Summary

With a lineup stacked with upperclassmen experience and a rotation led by proven arms like Templet and Gibson, the Sharks have the pieces to compete every night in a challenging District 3-5A. The senior class has shown buy-in throughout the offseason, and if the team can stay healthy and execute at a high level, Southside could be one of the district’s surprise playoff contenders in 2026.

Coach Lewellyn’s group has set its sights firmly on making school history — and this roster has the depth, leadership, and motivation to do it.

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 2026 Southside Baseball Schedule

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