Photograph: St. Landry Bank team photo submitted by Jack Brown.
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
With 15 players from six high schools appearing for his first practice, St. Landry Bank Indians coach Jack Brown admits he wasn’t sure quite what to expect.
If there was any anxiety attached to that initial moment, it quickly melted away, says Brown, whose Indians captured the District 7 American Legion championship last week.
“I’m really pleased with the way this team has turned out. We had kids show up that wanted to play. I have to say I’m a little surprised. You have players from so many different programs and sometimes it might not work out all that well. I could see this was going to be more different than i thought as we got into the first practice,” Brown says.
The 12-win season for the Indians hasn’t ended however.
St. Landry Bank is scheduled to begin participation in the annual postseason eight-team state legion tournament this weekend in Abbeville.
A Summer Away From Opelousas
For the first time in several years, legion baseball wasn’t played in Opelousas.
Brown says the Indians, who ordinarily play home games at Crusader Stadium at Westminster Christian Academy, didn’t have that opportunity this year.
Denied access to WCA for legion, Brown turned to Eunice for assistance and with the help of St. Edmund, the Indians have played home games at that facility.
The roster this year has been dominated by players from Port Barre and Evangeline and Lafayette parishes. Five of the Indians play for Sacred Heart-Ville Platte during the high school season, while another three players are from Teurlings Catholic.
Port Barre is represented by three players. Opelousas Catholic has contributed two roster players, while the other pair of players are school-based at Mamou and Westminster.
“We have a solid group from Sacred Heart. There were a couple that were on our roster from Sacred Heart last year. Sacred Heart was all in with us from the start,” Brown says.
In past seasons, the Indians’ lineup has been dominated by OCS players, but Brown indicates there wasn’t much interest from the Vikings this summer.
“Some of the younger players were on the (OCS) Metro League team, while others decided they wanted to play on travel ball teams,” Brown adds.
Assessing The Roster
St. Landry Bank, Brown says, is deep in pitching with good defense.
“If we hit well enough, we can win some games in the (state tournament).
The Indians’ pitching staff is especially capable, Brown points out.
“I think what is going to set us apart from most teams we face is we have nine or 10 guys who we can put on the mound. Went you get to the state tournament, that’s what you want to have,” Brown notes.
Bennett Fontenot is a starting catcher, while the infield is usually comprised of Brenn Ray, Grayson Davis, Gabe Wilmouth, Cade Robin and Briggs Ardoin.
In the outfield are Peter Stuart, Boyce Schexnayder, and Elijah Arvie.
The pitching staff is also comprised of Taylor Hollier, Carson Doucet and Owen Ponthieux.
Jay Lavergne, Lawson May and Ryan Young are also on the Indians’ roster
Looking At The Tournament
While the state legion tournament has normally been played at Delgado Community College in New Orleans, the tournament this year is being held at Roy Theriot Field in Abbeville.
That decision has helped save the Indians in funding, since overnight stays for the team won’t be necessary.
The tournament will also display an Acadiana-area presence, since the Lafayette Drillers, Crowley Millers and host Abbeville are entered.
Only one New Orleans team, Jesuit-High-based Retif Oil, will compete along defending state champion Gauthier-Amedee of Gonzales.
The Indians open the tournament on Saturday against Bossier Parish.
