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 West Monroe and Catholic BR with the Bears sweeping the Rebels for the third consecutive year.

We've got a really neat matchup for our Week 2 Game of the Week between Lafayette Christian Academy and St. Thomas More. This will be called the "Battle of the Robichaux's" with head coaches Austin and Justin Robichaux battling each other for family bragging rights. What's even cooler, is the fact that this game will be played at McNeese State University, where Austin and Justin's father, Tony, was a legendary head coach.

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Lafayette Christian Academy vs. St. Thomas More

-Date(s) & Time(s): Monday February 16, 2026 at 6 PM

-Location: McNeese State University

-Lafayette Christian Record: 1-4

-Head Coach: Austin Robichaux

-St. Thomas More Record: 2-2

-Head Coach: Justin Robichaux

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GAME OF THE WEEK PREVIEW

This one just means more.

Our Week 2 Game of the Week features two Lafayette-area powers — Lafayette Christian Academy and St. Thomas More — but the storyline runs far deeper than rankings and records.

On Monday night, brothers Austin Robichaux (LCA) and Justin Robichaux (STM) will square off as head coaches on the field where their late father, the legendary Tony Robichaux, built a legacy at McNeese State University.

If you know Louisiana baseball, you know what that name means.

This isn’t just another early-season matchup. It’s family. It’s legacy. It’s Lafayette pride under the lights in Lake Charles.

Lafayette Christian Academy

The Knights enter the week at 1-4, but don’t let the record fool you. Their losses have come against defending state champion Sam Houston Broncos and defending state finalist E.D. White Cardinals — battle-tested opponents that have already sharpened this group early.

Make no mistake: LCA is dangerous.

Everything starts with senior southpaw Ayden Welch.

An uncommitted lefty with a bulldog mentality, Welch runs his fastball into the upper-80s and competes every pitch. Last week against Sam Houston, he held the defending champs to just two runs across six strong innings while punching out eight.

He won’t blink on a big stage.

The Knights’ lineup is loaded with athleticism.

-Junior Braylon Lemaire: explosive athlete who impacts the game in multiple ways.

-Junior Kaleb Simon: another two-sport standout who brings speed and strength.

-Freshman Aiden Wiley: young catcher hitting in the heart of the order and already showing maturity beyond his years.

There’s a blend of veteran leadership and young confidence here — and Monday feels like a statement opportunity.

St. Thomas More

A year removed from a state semifinal appearance, expectations remain high for the Cougars.

STM opened 2-2 with losses to Southside and Prairieville, but they responded well and showed the depth that makes them a serious postseason threat again.

The Cougars counter with a strong senior duo:

-Senior LHP Cayden Dartez: Dominant in his last outing vs. Prairieville, striking out 11 over 6.2 scoreless innings.

-Senior RHP Noah Gauthier: LSU-Eunice recruit who picked up a win in the same series, tossing five innings with six punchouts.

They attack the zone, compete, and give STM a chance every time out.

There’s real thump in the middle of this order with juniors Cooper Hawkins (Southern Miss commit) and Landyn Craft leading the charge.

Setting the tone at the top is senior John Henry Parker, who has been swinging a hot bat, going 3-for-8 in last weekend’s series.

And don’t sleep on sophomore Eli Clark, who erupted for a 4-for-6 day with a HR, 2B, and 5 RBI in Saturday’s doubleheader.

This group can score in a hurry.

More Than a Game

When these two programs met last year, it was a one-run battle with STM coming out on top. Expect another tight, competitive showdown.

But the scoreboard almost feels secondary.

Two brothers.

Two dugouts.

One field where their father left a permanent mark on Louisiana baseball.

On Monday night at McNeese State University, the Robichaux name will once again echo through the ballpark.

And somewhere, you can bet Coach Robe will be smiling.

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