The 2024 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state.  Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Louisiana.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Sulphur, LA, home of the LHSAA State Championships, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality.  We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Louisiana.  We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, followed by our Power 25 Rankings release, and our popular Game of the Week segment. 

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the bayou state.  Each week, we will be releasing our players of the week, updating our Power 25 Rankings, and many more pieces of content.  

*Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.

 

High School Name: Vandebilt Catholic

Head Coach: Chad Menard

Classification: Class 4A (Select D-II)

District: 7-4A

2023 Record: 24-17

2023 Playoff Finish: State Finalist

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 10

No. of Returning Pitchers: ALL

Team Strengths: Experience & Starting Pitching

Top Returning Players: 2025 LHP James Guidry

Top 2024 & 2025 Prospects: 2024 RHP John Wade, 2025 LHP James Guidry

 

Team Outlook

Last year's team exceeded a lot of people's expectations, including ours.  The Terriers finished last season with a 24-17 overall record and were the 5th seeded team in the LHSAA Select D-II playoffs, where they were looking to defend their state title.  After defeating Teurlings Catholic in a three-game quarterfinal series, Vandebilt Catholic was matched up with a familiar foe, in St. Louis Catholic, for a chance to advance to their second straight title game.  The Terriers did indeed pull off the upset against the top seeded Saints with a 7-3 win.  They ended up falling in the state finals to a tough ED White team, by a score of 6-2, but the season was an overall success, considering the Terriers had lost their ace in Owen Schexnaydre, along with nearly the entire starting lineup from 2022.  Coach Chad Menard and company have to feel good heading into 2024, as they return ten position players and their entire pitching staff from a year ago.  A big reason for optimism is the return of junior LHP James Guidry, who was the ace of last year's staff.  The 6'3" 170 lbs. southpaw went 11-2 last season with a 1.93 ERA to go along with 71 K's to only 19 BB's across 87 IP.  We had the chance to see Guidry at our State Games event this past fall, and it was easy to see why he's one of the top uncommitted LHP's in all of Louisiana.  He works at a quick and up-tempo pace and aggressively attacks hitters with an 82-84 mph FB that he can command to both sides of the plate.  Guidry's CB showed good shape at 68-70 mph and induced whiffs with a late-fading 74-75 mph CH.  Senior RHP John Wade is another arm that Coach Menard is excited about coming into this season.  The 6'4" 210 lbs. uncommitted senior owns a mid-upper 80's heater and he held opponents to a .184 BAA last season.  He's also got some big-game experience under his belt, after having started the state title game last spring, where he gave up only 1 ER in 4 IP, before exiting the game.  Coach Menard has built a winning program in Houma, LA, and if last year's team can make the type of run that they did, then we expect this year's team to make another strong run at winning their 2nd state title in just three years.  

 

 

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