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 Lafayette Christian and St. Thomas More with the Cougars coming out on top by a score of 11-1.

This week, we'll be heading over to the Jay Patterson tournament to check out a bunch of really good games, but the Sterlington and St. Amant game will be our Week 3 Game of the Week. The Panthers head into the week with a 6-1 record and are coming off winning their three-game series against Class 5A Haughton. The Gators started off the year 4-1, but dropped four games last week and now sit at 5-5. 

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Sterlington vs. St. Amant

-Date(s) & Time(s): Saturday February 28, 2026 at 10 AM

-Location: St. Amant High School

-Sterlington Record: 6-1

-Head Coach: Mark Sims

-St. Amant Record: 5-5

-Head Coach: Caleb Ricca

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Game of the Week Preview

We’re heading south for Week 3 of our Game of the Week series as the defending Non-Select Division III State Champion Sterlington Panthers square off with the hungry St. Amant Gators at the Jay Patterson Tournament.

This one features two programs in very different places — but both with plenty to prove.

Sterlington

Head Coach Mark Sims and the Panthers look every bit like a team capable of making another trip to Sulphur. Sitting at 6-1 through two weeks, Sterlington just took two of three from Class 5A Haughton — a statement series that reinforced their championship pedigree.

At the top of the lineup, senior Tre Burch has been the spark plug. The veteran leadoff man is hitting .500 with five doubles, six RBI, nine runs scored, and three walks. He’s setting the tone early and often.

2026 Tre Burch (Sterlington HS) carries a hot bat for the Panthers heading into the regular season.

Went 2-for-2 with a 2B, 3B, & 3 RBI in yesterday’s scrimmage. Connects again today with this triple to straightaway centerfield. #BeSeen@AlexArmandPBR | @Tyler__Leary @davisj_9 pic.twitter.com/XKryjNVh8w

— Prep Baseball Louisiana (@PrepBaseballLA) February 5, 2026

Behind him? Arguably the most dangerous middle of the order in the state.

• Senior Miller Sheets (Baylor recruit) – After a monster junior campaign (.435 with 50+ RBI and 50+ runs), Sheets continues to anchor the lineup. He also delivered in a big way on the mound last weekend, tossing three shutout innings to secure a Game 3 win over Haughton.

 

• Junior Devyn Downs (LSU commit) – One of Louisiana’s premier two-way talents. Downs is hitting .429 with a HR, 2 XBH, 8 RBI, and 8 runs scored. On the mound, he’s been dominant: 9 IP, 0.00 ERA, 13 K.

 

Veterans Connor Justice, Corbin Peacock, and Brady Belanger give the Panthers experience and stability throughout the lineup.

And the pitching depth doesn’t stop with Downs and Sheets. Senior Landon Johnston — an All-State arm who won 12 games last spring — gives Sterlington another proven, big-game option.

Make no mistake: this group looks poised for a serious run at back-to-back titles.

St. Amant

The Gators opened the season 4-1 before hitting a tough stretch last week, dropping four games to settle at 5-5. But don’t let the record fool you — this is a dangerous club with the pieces to make noise in Class 5A.

On the mound, junior Tucker Miller has been outstanding. The right-hander is 3-0 with a 1.91 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 11 innings. He’s been the tone-setter for a staff that competes.

 

Junior Tyson Sheets has also contributed quality innings, highlighted by a Week 1 win over Parkview Baptist.

 

Offensively, St. Amant thrives on pressure. They grind out at-bats, run the bases aggressively, and force defenses to execute.

It all starts with:

• Sophomore Cooper Templet – One of the hottest hitters in the state early on. Templet is batting .472 with 5 doubles, a triple, 11 RBI, and 13 runs scored.

 

• Senior Landon Blanchard – A steady veteran presence hitting .333 with 7 RBI, 12 runs scored, and an impressive 10 walks.

The Gators aren’t trying to outslug everyone — they’re trying to outwork you.

 

Summary

Sterlington enters as the reigning champion, eyeing a third straight trip to the state finals and a chance to go back-to-back. St. Amant is chasing something different — a return to the state tournament and a resurgence of a proud 5A program.

Saturday morning won’t determine either team’s final destination in May, but it could serve as a momentum-shifting checkpoint.

Championship experience.

Blue-collar grit.

Two teams that play hard-nosed baseball.

Expect a dogfight in Ascension Parish.

We’ll see you at the yard.

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