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 non-district battle between Northshore and Lutcher with the Panthers coming out on top.

This week, we're heading east to see a rivalry for the District 8-5A title between Hahnville and Destrehan. The Tigers and Wildcats have been bitter rivals for years, so we fully expect Tuesday's matchup to be a really good one.

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Hahnville vs. Destrehan

-Date & Time: Tuesday April 7th @ 4:00 PM

-Location: Destrehan High School

-Hahnville Record: 25-6

-Head Coach: Jared Vial

-Destrehan Record: 22-9

-Head Coach: Chris Mire

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Game of the Week Preview

Week 9 marks the final full week of the regular season, and it doesn’t get much better than this. Two of Louisiana’s premier programs—Hahnville and Destrehan—square off Tuesday evening, April 7th, in what should be an electric “Battle on the River” with the District 8-5A championship on the line.

With rich traditions, elite talent, and both clubs trending upward at the right time, this matchup has all the makings of a playoff-caliber showdown.

Hahnville

Hahnville’s season has been a tale of resilience and momentum. After sitting at 4-5 in late February following a five-game skid, the Tigers have flipped the script in a major way—ripping off 15 straight wins to improve to 25-6 overall and firmly positioning themselves as a legitimate postseason threat.

Head Coach Jared Vial’s offense has been nothing short of explosive during this stretch, averaging over 12 runs per game. The lineup is anchored by one of the most dangerous trios in the state—Koa Romero, Kaleb Guarisco, and Landen Teague.

Romero, an LSU commit, continues to show why he’s one of Louisiana’s premier hitters, combining elite bat-to-ball skills with impact power. He’s hitting .420 with 7 home runs, 5 doubles, 4 triples, and 37 RBI. Guarisco, a Louisiana Tech commit, has been just as productive, batting .427 with 7 home runs and 40 runs scored. Teague, an uncommitted junior, has been one of the hottest hitters in the state all spring, hitting .494 with 4 home runs, 10 doubles, and 16 stolen bases.

 

The depth doesn’t stop there. Junior Brayden Fontenot has been a dynamic table-setter with 43 runs scored and 17 stolen bases. Senior Bennett Naquin brings power to the middle of the order with 6 home runs, while Luke Heiden, Jaxon Hanks, and Eli Landry round out a lineup that is both deep and relentless.

On the mound, Hahnville’s staff has found its rhythm. Romero leads the way with electric stuff, running his fastball into the mid-90s while posting a 1.78 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 23.2 innings. Teague continues to impact the game as a two-way threat (5-1, 3 SV), while Matthew Plaisance (7-1, 2.05 ERA) and Avyn Whitney (5-1, 2.12 ERA) have provided consistency. Javonte Gray and Parker Mosley have also delivered quality innings, giving the Tigers multiple reliable options.

When Hahnville is clicking offensively and throwing strikes on the mound, they are as dangerous as anyone in the state.

Destrehan

Much like Hahnville, Destrehan has caught fire at the right time. After navigating a midseason lull, the Wildcats have responded with eight straight wins and are playing some of their best baseball heading into the final week of the regular season.

Head Coach Chris Mire’s club is built on balance, featuring a strong mix of veteran leadership and emerging underclass talent, with several key two-way contributors.

Chase Marcotte has been the heartbeat of the team. The uncommitted junior is hitting .402 with 5 home runs and 15 doubles, while also serving as a frontline arm (4-2, 1.49 ERA). Sophomore Josh Muller has been another key two-way piece, posting a 1.71 ERA on the mound while contributing offensively with speed and plate discipline.

 

Freshman Landyn Dugas has burst onto the scene in a big way, hitting .367 with 19 stolen bases while also recording 3 saves on the mound—an early glimpse at a high-impact future prospect.

 

On the pitching side, senior Chase Mire has been dominant, boasting a 7-0 record with a 1.71 ERA and an impressive 40:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 45 innings. Jaden Sloan has been lights-out as well, yet to allow an earned run in 12 innings, while providing valuable depth alongside Marcotte and Muller.

Offensively, Champ White and Larry Rodrigue have added punch in the middle of the lineup, while Derek Lucas has been a consistent presence with speed and run production.

This is a well-rounded group that can beat you in multiple ways—and they’ve proven it during their current win streak.

Summary

Both teams enter this matchup playing their best baseball of the season. With a district championship on the line and postseason seeding implications looming, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Hahnville brings one of the most explosive offenses in the state, while Destrehan counters with balance, depth, and strong two-way production. Expect adjustments, intensity, and high-level execution on both sides.

Tuesday night in Destrehan should feel like a playoff game—and it very well could be a preview of what’s to come in the coming weeks.

Get your popcorn ready. This one’s going to be must-watch baseball.

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