The 2026 Louisiana high school baseball season officially gets rolling today, as teams across the state take the field with clean slates and championship aspirations. With every record sitting at 0–0, opening week always carries a sense of possibility—and here at Prep Baseball Louisiana, it’s easily one of our favorite times of the year. From now until the final out in May, our focus is simple: get to the ballpark, evaluate players in live-game settings, and deliver comprehensive, boots-on-the-ground coverage from around the state. With no events on the calendar during the season, it’s all about game action from start to finish.

That also means the return of our High School Game of the Week, a staple of our in-season coverage that has featured some of the Bayou State’s best matchups in recent years.

Last week's Game of the Week featured a District 3-5A battle between Sulphur and Southside with the Sharks coming out on top by a score of 5-3.

This week, district play continues across the state, and we'll be headed to New Orleans, LA to see Brother Martin take on Archbishop Rummel in a Catholic League battle. The Crusaders and Raiders both have aspirations of making deep playoff runs and getting started on the right foot as district play begins is super important for both clubs. 

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Brother Martin vs. Archbishop Rummel

-Date & Time: Saturday March 21st @ 2:00 PM

-Location: University of New Orleans (2000 Lakeshore Drive New Orleans, LA 70148)

-Brother Martin Record: 19-2

-Head Coach: Jeff Lupo

-Archbishop Rummel Record: 15-4

-Head Coach: Frank Cazeaux

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Game of the Week Preview

With five full weeks of the Louisiana high school season now complete, district races across the state are beginning to intensify. For Week 6, we head to the New Orleans metro area for a marquee Catholic League showdown as the Brother Martin Crusaders take on the Archbishop Rummel Raiders in a matchup featuring two of the hottest teams in the state.

Both clubs enter the week playing outstanding baseball. Brother Martin brings an impressive 19-2 overall record into the contest and rides a seven-game winning streak, while Rummel sits at 15-4 and has won 12 of its last 13 games.

District 9-5A — widely known as “The Catholic League” — remains one of the toughest districts in Louisiana year after year. This spring is no exception, with five teams currently ranked inside the Top-10 of the Select Division I Power Ratings. While this early-season clash won’t determine postseason fate, the winner will gain valuable momentum in what promises to be a grueling district race.

Brother Martin

The Crusaders have been one of the most consistent and complete teams in the state this spring, as evidenced by their 19-2 record and quality wins over programs such as Dutchtown, Sulphur, Vandebilt Catholic, University Lab, Destrehan, and Holy Cross. Head coach Jeff Lupo and his club appear to be peaking at the right time, entering Week 6 with confidence and rhythm on both sides of the ball.

Pitching has been a steady strength, with Brother Martin allowing just 2.85 runs per game. Senior right-hander Drake Amedee anchors the staff. The LSU-Eunice recruit owns a 5-0 record with a 2.19 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 32 innings, featuring a fastball that reaches the low-90s along with a sharp mid-70s breaking ball that has shown spin rates into the 2600 RPM range.

 

Fellow seniors Blaise Tingstrom (3-1, 3.50 ERA) and Caden Vallee (3-0, 0.70 ERA in 20 innings) have provided reliable production, while junior Nolan Amato (3-1, 2.44 ERA) continues to be a valuable piece of the rotation. The bullpen has been equally effective, highlighted by juniors Gavin Jeanfreau (1-0, 0.00 ERA in 8.1 IP) and Tyler Snider(1-0, 1 save, 0.73 ERA). Sophomore Chance Pecoraro is another arm trending upward after returning from an early-season injury and has already posted a 1-0 record with a 1.75 ERA in limited action.

Offensively, the Crusaders are capable of beating opponents in multiple ways — from grinding out quality at-bats to delivering timely extra-base hits. Senior Bronson Leaumont and junior Brady McCluskey serve as tone-setters. Leaumont is hitting .365 with a home run, eight doubles, a triple, and 21 RBI, while McCluskey brings an advanced approach from the top of the order, hitting .359 with six extra-base hits, 21 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases.

2027 OF Brady McCluskey (Brother Martin HS)

5-10, 185-pounds

The @PB_Uncommitted junior laces this one back up the middle for a firm single. Would come around to score as the Crusaders take an early 2-0 lead over Zachary. #BeSeen@AlexArmandPBR | @SeguinSawyer pic.twitter.com/4EBxhBCwlT

— Prep Baseball Louisiana (@PrepBaseballLA) February 13, 2026

Junior catcher Tyler Durand, a Coastal Alabama North CC commit, has taken over full-time duties behind the plate and is batting .345 with five doubles and 13 RBI. Junior Brody Shannon is enjoying a breakout season, hitting .340 with a home run, six doubles, a triple, and 24 RBI, while junior Luke Gab adds depth with a .294 average, four doubles, and 19 runs scored.

A trio of sophomores — Colton Elliott, Kamber Keller, and Justin Morgan — provides an exciting glimpse into the program’s future. Elliott, a left-handed hitter, is batting .368 with 13 RBI and 14 runs scored. Keller is hitting .323 with strong on-base ability and 24 runs scored, and Morgan — younger brother of former Crusader and LSU standout Tre’ Morgan — has carved out his own role with a .294 average, 13 RBI, and 15 runs scored.

After reaching the state finals a year ago, Brother Martin appears even more balanced and dangerous in 2026.

Archbishop Rummel

Like their district rival, the Raiders are playing some of their best baseball of the season. After opening the year 3-3, head coach Frank Cazeaux and his team have surged, winning 12 of their last 13 contests, including key victories over Mandeville, St. Paul’s, and a two-game district sweep of John Curtis.

Rummel’s offense has been explosive, averaging just over seven runs per game, with contributions coming from throughout the lineup. Freshman Beau Stevens has been one of the early breakout performers. The physical left-handed hitter shows advanced plate discipline beyond his years, evidenced by 14 walks to just nine strikeouts, and is batting .365 with three home runs, three doubles, and 17 RBI.

Behind him, former Future Gamer Ian Smith, a Northwestern State commit, s hitting .309 with five doubles, 18 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases. Senior Brody Giglio has anchored the middle of the order with a .311 average, three home runs, seven doubles, and 16 RBI. Senior Joel Morange adds significant power, tallying four home runs, 18 RBI, and 20 runs scored.

 

Juniors Bryce Hingle (.341, 13 runs scored) and Owen Nugent (.349, 17 RBI) have also delivered consistent production.

On the mound, the Raiders have been equally impressive, allowing just over 2.5 runs per game, including only four total runs through their first three district contests. Junior ace Owen Nugent has been outstanding, relying on advanced pitchability and command rather than overpowering velocity. He enters the week 4-0 with a microscopic 0.78 ERA in 36 innings, highlighted by an eight-inning shutout performance in a 1-0 extra-inning win over John Curtis.

 

Sophomore right-hander Grayson Schexnaildre has emerged as another key contributor. Featuring a projectable 6-foot-4 frame and a fastball already into the mid-80s, he has rebounded from an early 0-2 start to win his last four decisions and now owns a 1.77 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 27.2 innings. Senior Brennen Ramon (3-1, 4.20 ERA) and junior Bryce Hingle (2-0, 2.05 ERA in 13.2 IP) add depth, while seniors Jack Hurd and Luke Hutchinson have combined to allow zero earned runs across 10 relief innings. Senior Brody Bertucci has also been effective, posting a 2.43 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 8.2 innings.

After a slow start, the Raiders now look like a well-rounded club capable of making a deep postseason run.

The Bottom Line

Both teams enter the week riding significant momentum. Brother Martin has won seven straight, while Rummel has captured 12 of its last 13 games.

In a district that also features perennial contenders Jesuit, John Curtis, and Holy Cross, every Catholic League matchup carries major postseason weight.

Expect a high-intensity, playoff-type atmosphere in New Orleans as two talented and surging programs collide in what could very well be a preview of meaningful games still to come later this spring.

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