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. For the third straight season, selecting a Week 1 showdown was an easy call—when two top-tier programs collide early, you don’t overthink it.

With that, we’re excited to announce that our first Game of the Week of the 2026 season will feature #8 West Monroe High School and #4 Catholic High School Baton Rouge. These are two perennial powers with championship pedigrees, loaded rosters, and no shortage of expectations this spring. If you’re looking for high-intensity, high-level baseball to kick off the season, this matchup checks every box.

Make sure to follow us across all Prep Baseball Louisiana social media platforms for updates, highlights, and full coverage of what promises to be a must-see Week 1 Game of the Week.

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West Monroe vs. Catholic BR

-Date(s) & Time(s)

Game 1: Thursday 02/12/26 @ 4 PM

Game 2: Friday 02/13/26 @ 4 PM

Game 3: Saturday 02/14/26 @ 1 PM

-Location: Catholic BR High School

-Catholic B.R. HS (2025 Record): 37-5 (Select Division I State Champions)

-Head Coach: Brad Bass

-West Monroe HS (2025 Record): 26-9 (Regional Finalist)

-Head Coach: Wade Simoneaux

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GAME OF THE WEEK PREVIEW

For the third straight year, Louisiana high school baseball fans are in for a treat, as West Monroe High School makes the trip south to square off with Catholic High School Baton Rouge in a marquee, early-season showdown. This Week 1 series features two Top-10 teams in our Power 25 Rankings and checks every box you could ask for: star power, college recruits scattered throughout both lineups, and no shortage of intensity. When these two perennial powers meet, drama is inevitable—and this three-game set has all the makings of a heavyweight battle.

Both programs enter the spring in reload mode, but don’t mistake that for a step back. The talent is real, the expectations are high, and each side is eager to make an early statement.

West Monroe Rebels

West Monroe moves forward without one of its cornerstone arms from the past four seasons, as Drew Ferguson has moved on to Louisiana Tech. Still, the Rebels return arguably the most dominant pitcher in the state in senior Bradyn Cupit. The LSU recruit and left-hander has been a model of consistency since his freshman year, compiling 20 wins and 231 strikeouts over the past three seasons. With a fastball that reaches the mid-90s, Cupit has a legitimate chance to surpass the 300-strikeout milestone during his senior campaign.

 

Behind him, senior right-handers Kohlson Bible and Jackson Gilbert provide experienced depth on the mound, while sophomore Lane Holubec is a young arm with upside who could emerge as the season progresses.

Offensively, the Rebels are led by junior Peyton Starr, a Louisiana Tech recruit and tone-setter who has been a varsity contributor since his freshman year. Known for his toughness and competitiveness, Starr has delivered in countless big moments and will again be a key piece atop the lineup. Seniors Carson Hawsey and Ryder DeJean add physical right-handed bats that should drive in runs in the heart of the order.

 

Catholic High Bears

Catholic BR must replace a significant amount of offensive production from last year’s roster, but a motivated and experienced senior class is ready to shoulder that responsibility.

Senior Harrison Kidder, a University of Louisiana–Lafayette football recruit, is one of the Bears’ most proven returners. A strong, physical right-handed hitter, Kidder is expected to anchor the middle of the lineup. He’s joined by a senior group featuring Hayes Segar, Grant Speer, Taylor Goldsmith, Turner Goldsmith, Jude Schneider, Carson Arms, and Kooper Childs, all eager to carve out their roles and leave their mark this spring.

Catholic’s offense also receives a boost with the addition of transfer junior Dekohta Jones, a South Alabama commit. Jones is an ultra-athletic centerfielder with game-changing speed and the ability to impact the game in all facets.

 

On the mound, senior ace Lucas Lawrence continues to recover from an offseason injury and is expected to miss this opening weekend, shifting the spotlight to Mills Richardson. The former Future Gamer and Southeastern Louisiana recruit has impressed throughout the preseason, with his fastball climbing into the low 90s. True to form, Catholic still boasts plenty of pitching options, including Tanner Forbes, Kenneth Russell, Segar, Childs, and Schneider, while juniors Bryce Brown and Jason DeCuir have also shown promise. Sophomore Reis Wascom is another name to know—a highly athletic right-hander with a low-to-mid-80s fastball and a sweeping low-70s slider that flashes true out-pitch potential.

 

An Early-Season Heavyweight Battle

Catholic BR has swept this series in each of the last two seasons—but will history repeat itself? Or will West Monroe flip the script and exact a little early-season revenge?

One thing is certain: this weekend is shaping up to be a dogfight.

Clear your Valentine’s Day plans. Rally your friends. Pack the stands at 855 Hearthstone Drive in Baton Rouge from February 12–14. This is high school baseball at its finest—two of Louisiana’s elite programs going head-to-head in what could end up being one of the most entertaining series of the entire season.

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