JESUIT BASEBALL WINS FIRST STATE TITLE SINCE 2012

FLYING WITH THE JAYS

Achieving Greatness

JESUIT BASEBALL WINS FIRST STATE TITLE SINCE 2012

The goal of being remembered—of leaving a legacy—is a lofty one full of challenges. This Jesuit baseball team (31-6, 6-6) persevered and showed why it should be remembered for its talent on and off the diamond.

The Blue Jays defeated No. 1 seeded C.E. Bryd 6-1 in Shreveport to clinch the LHSAA Division 1 state baseball title.

Through the first 19 games of the season, Jesuit excelled at every facet of the game from hitting with power and contact to pitching and fielding. The result of this superior play was an early 19-0 record.

District play brought about new challenges, resulting in a string of mid-season losses. The team still captured six wins but could not find a solid groove going into the big dance.

Yet this team never seemed to hold its head low. The energy of the team took center stage and kept the roster motivated in times of trouble.

Jesuit entered John Ryan Stadium on Friday, May 7, needing two wins on its home turf to advance to another baseball semifinal. The Blue Jays wasted no time by winning those games 7-0 and 6-4.

Junior two-way star Holden Hess pitched a complete game shutout to open post-season play against Archbishop Rummel High School. He also delivered from the box by producing two hits and three RBIs. Seniors Tripp Haddad and Collin Loupe each helped put the game out of reach with two hits and an RBI each. Junior Ryan

Porche took the hill in the second contest, looking to send the Raiders packing.

John Curtis stood in the way, a team that handed Jesuit a hard-fought defeat only a short time before. Jesuit would not let heartbreak strike twice.

The Blue Jays defeated the Patriots 4–3 thanks in part to a walk-off single by senior Zack Casebonne, whose game-ending RBI broke a multiple inning stalemate. Senior Hayden Morris scored the final run.

All-around solid performances from the Jesuit lineup contributed to the playoff victory; Hess pitched most of the game with senior Sean Cashman closing out the day for the Jays by putting away all six Patriot batters that he faced.

The final step to enshrine this team forever had come: the LHSAA Divison I state Championship game. Jesuit did not miss a beat.

The triumphant afternoon was marked by game-long outstanding play by the Blue Jays with multiple

three-up-three-down innings under Porche, capped off by a championship grand slam from Casebonne. The Blue and White pin stripers captured Jesuit’s first baseball state championship since 2012.

Among this extraordinary team, a few individuals earned special recognition for their achievements. Each year, the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association names outstanding baseball players to the LBCA All-State Team. This year, three Blue Jays from Jesuit’s championship team were tapped for this honor: Casebonne, Haddad, and Hess.

Super shortstop Loupe also made the LBCA All-Region team with Casebonne, Haddad, and Hess.

All of the above players were also named to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-State team, and Loupe and senior thirdbaseman Giovanni Licciardi were awarded an honorable mention from the organization.

In addition to these honors, three Blue Jays from the championship team will be continuing their athletic careers at the college level. Casebonne will attend Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, Loupe will be staying close to home to attend University of New Orleans, and Licciardi joins the baseball squad at University of Louisiana at Monroe. These players always got the job done with smiles on their faces while spreading an uncontainable enthusiasm. They not only won a championship but also inspired all of those who watched, immortalizing them at Carrollton & Banks. •

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