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 Catholic League battle between Brother Martin and Rummel with the Crusaders coming out on top by a score of 9-5 to remain undefeated in league play.

This week, district play continues across the state, and we'll be headed to Lake Charles, LA to see Sam Houston take on Barbe. The rivalry between the Broncos and Bucs is one of the best in the entire state, so this is going to be one that high school baseball fans will not want to miss. 

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Sam Houston vs. Barbe

-Date & Time: Saturday March 28th @ 1:00 PM

-Location: Barbe High School

-Sam Houston Record: 18-6

-Head Coach: Chad Hebert

-Barbe Record: 23-1

-Head Coach: Glenn Cecchini

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Game of the Week Preview

District play always brings an added level of intensity across Louisiana, but few matchups carry the weight, history, and emotion of the rivalry between Sam Houston and Barbe. For our Week 7 Game of the Week, the Broncos will make the short trip across town to face the Bucs in what has become one of the most anticipated district showdowns in the state year after year.

Last spring, Barbe controlled the regular-season meetings, sweeping the district series. However, the Broncos delivered the ultimate response when it mattered most — knocking off the Bucs in the playoff semifinals on their way to capturing their first state championship in more than two decades. With familiarity running deep between the two programs — from players who have grown up competing against one another to Sam Houston head coach Chad Hebert’s past experience coaching under legendary Barbe skipper Glenn Cecchini — this rivalry is fueled by both respect and competitive fire.

Regardless of the final score, fans can expect a fiercely contested game featuring two of the state’s premier programs battling until the final out.

Sam Houston

After a tough stretch in Week 5 that saw them drop four of five contests, the Broncos bounced back in impressive fashion with three straight wins to improve to 18-6 overall. This is a team that understands the grind of a long season. A year ago, Sam Houston endured a similar mid-season lull before finishing the year on a tear and hoisting the state championship trophy.

Pitching has been the foundation of this year’s success. The Broncos are allowing just over 2.5 runs per game and have surrendered more than five runs only once all spring. Junior Owen Galley continues to anchor the staff with a 4-1 record, 1.34 ERA, and 36 strikeouts in 36.2 innings, while sophomore standout Brock Blessington has lived up to his billing as the state’s top player in the 2028 class, posting a 4-0 record and 2.69 ERA across 28.2 innings. Junior Ty Smith has also been outstanding, going 4-1 with a 1.88 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 22.1 innings after battling injuries last season.

 

The depth behind those three has been equally important. Coleton Donaldson owns a 1.07 ERA with two saves, Brytn Gardner is 2-0 with three saves and a 2.87 ERA, and Bennett Harlow leads the team in appearances with 11 outings and a 1.66 ERA. Sophomore Pat Conner may possess the highest upside on the staff, already running his fastball into the low-90s while compiling a 2-1 record over 17.1 innings.

Offensively, the Broncos are averaging 6.29 runs per game, and the production starts at the top with seniors Charlie Donaldson and Carson Christ. Donaldson is hitting .329 with five home runs, 16 RBI, 21 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases, while Christ is batting .338 with five home runs and 18 RBI. Blessington and Smith have been key two-way contributors as well, hitting .433 and .391, respectively.

 

A talented sophomore class has also stepped into major roles. Kannon Keiser is hitting right at .300 with a strong walk-to-strikeout ratio, while Grant Oustalet has provided defensive versatility and plate discipline. Quinn Fiasconaro has been a middle-of-the-order presence with five home runs and 18 RBI, giving the Broncos another legitimate run-producer.

Barbe

Few teams in Louisiana have been as dominant or consistent as Barbe this spring. After a narrow early loss to a talented out-of-state opponent, the Bucs responded by reeling off 22 consecutive wins, solidifying themselves as one of the state’s top contenders. With six seniors and two juniors regularly in the starting lineup, this veteran group has played with purpose all season — fueled in part by last year’s playoff defeat to Sam Houston.

As has long been the program’s identity, elite pitching is once again the strength. Barbe is allowing just 1.54 runs per game and has already recorded nine shutouts in 24 games. Senior Texas A&M commit J.D. Alexander has been nearly untouchable, posting a 0.40 ERA with only two walks across 35 innings. LSU commit Lawton Littleton is off to a 5-0 start, while freshman sensation Reed Sawyer has been one of the biggest surprises in the state with a 7-0 record, 0.50 ERA, and 48 strikeouts to just three walks.

 

Senior Ja’Derryian Washington has embraced a true “Swiss-army knife” role, contributing both as a starter and in late-inning situations, compiling a 4-0 record, two saves, and a 0.45 ERA.

The offense has been equally impressive. Senior Myles Ledoux has set the tone as an on-base catalyst at the top of the order, while junior LSU commit Jordin Griffin has emerged as one of the most electric players in Louisiana, hitting well over .400 and leading the team in home runs. Washington and Alexander have also been key run-producers, and senior catcher Jacob Regan has provided clutch hitting while managing arguably the state’s top pitching staff.

 

Senior Haden Heath is enjoying a breakout campaign with four home runs and more than 20 RBI, and senior Gillen McGee continues to play the grinder role at the bottom of the lineup, doing whatever it takes to get on base and turn the order over.

Summary

When Sam Houston and Barbe meet, history suggests fans can expect dominant pitching, clean defense, and timely hitting — with momentum often swinging on a single play. These two teams played four close, low-scoring games a year ago, and Saturday’s matchup has all the ingredients to produce another classic.

With district positioning and bragging rights on the line, expect a playoff-like atmosphere at Barbe High School. Simply put — this is Louisiana high-school baseball at its best.

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Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE	DATE	LOCATION
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