1 week Ago
Parkview Baptist pitcher Sam Mitchell (2) delivers a pitch against Central in the first inning on Thursday, March 20, 2025 in Central, Louisiana. STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON Parkview's pitcher Cade Durbin is one of a growing group of Baton Rouge area prospects headed to UL Ragin' Cajuns. PHOTO BY APRIL BUFFINGTON Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save The teams have not played each other in 11 months.
That’s when third-seeded University claimed an emotional 2-1 win over No. 2 Parkview Baptist in a Division III select semifinal game played in Sulphur. U-High went on to win the Division III title, while the Eagles seized motivation for 2025.
“That one hurt,” Parkview coach Phillip Hawke said. “And from that point on, the offseason was a push to get back to this point. “You’ve coaching staffs that respect each other and players who grew up together.
That also makes it fun.” The fact that PBS (24-6) is No. 1 in the latest LHSAA Division III select power ratings and U-High (20-7) sits at No.
2 is lagniappe as the District 6-3A season and regular season wind down. The Cubs host Parkview at 6 p.m.
Tuesday. They meet again Thursday at PBS. The Eagles call on familiar faces, including aces Sam Mitchell (4-0) or Cade Durbin (4-0) on the mound.
For U-High, many things have changed. Longtime assistant Jon Ramsey is the first-year head coach. Brody Mayeux is the top returning pitcher for the Cubs, who have just three position players back.
Only one of those players, Jake McCann, plays the same position. “This is a totally different team,” Ramsey said. “We came into the season young and the guys bought into what we wanted to do.
We’ve got knocked down a couple of times and got back up. “Right now, I feel like we’re where we need to be. They (Parkview) are a good team.
If we overlook them in any way, they’ll kick our butt. If we don’t do our job, they’ll kick our butt. But if we do our job, it’s a great game.
” Parkview has a .353 team batting average and a 1.54 earned run average.
Sophomore outfielder Clayton Fontenot is hitting .500 with three homers and 26 RBI. Shortstop Kelan Guidry is batting .
390. Mayeux (4-2) gets the start for UHS. McCann is hitting .
372 with 29 runs scored and 18 RBI. Third baseman Lane Mixon (.333) is another statistical leader for the junior-laden Cubs.
“Every year we come together and there are new faces,” Hawke said. “But it’s still two quality teams. It’s an iron sharpens iron matchup.
” Broncos surging With a 2-0 win over Central on Saturday, Zachary (21-10) faces the Wildcats (19-9) again Tuesday with a chance to set up big two-game finale with defending Division I select champion Catholic later this week in District 4-5A. Game time is 6:30 p.m.
at ZHS. “If we win, it gives us a shot at a district title,” ZHS coach Jacob Fisher said. “The senior leadership and the work ethic have made the difference.
” Noah Sullivan (6-1) gets the start for ZHS. Outfielders Skyler Andrews (.432) and Zach Williams (.
371) are the top hitters..
