The fourth-ranked DeQuincy Tigers have had a year to think about their 12-inning loss to Oak Grove in the nonselect Division IV state championship game.

At the state baseball tournament, they will get to write a new chapter in their rivalry with Tigers from North Louisiana. They will meet in the semifinals at 2 p.m. today at McMurry Park in Sulphur.

“I know they are very good, but we have been playing really good here lately,” DeQuincy head coach Brady Carlson said. “We are excited for the opportunity, and that is all we can ask for.

“We are going to give it our best shots. We know the kids are excited about having another shot at it.”

Last year DeQuincy battled back from a nine-run deficit to force extra innings in the state championship game.

No. 1 Oak Grove (17-10) has seven starters back, including Tanner Duff, who drove in the winning run. Leadoff batter Jackson Bradley is hitting .625 in the postseason with three runs scored, five RBIs and two doubles. Oak Grove has won three consecutive state championships.

“I have talked to a few people and they say they are the same-old, same-old,” Carlson said. “There are not too many weaknesses.

“They have won three (state titles) in a row for a reason. … I know they will be ready, and we will as well.”

The Tigers started the season with five new starters and worked to fill the hole left by Reese Ashworth, who had 10 strikeouts, five hits and three RBIs in the state championship game last year. Once they settled on a lineup, the Tigers thrived, winning eight of the last nine games. During that time the first four in the batting lineup — Carson Rainwater, Tyler Rodriquez, Andrew Dowden and Nolan Schrader — combined to bat .403 with 31 RBIs.

“This team has done a really good job of coming on strong here at the end and playing some really good baseball,” Carlson said. “They are a very confident bunch right now.

“As far as lineups go, it has been in and out all year. We got settled the past few weeks with one that is really working for us.”

Rainwater, Rodriquez and Diron Valentine have picked up the slack on the mound. Rainwater has pitched both of the Tigers’ postseason games with 17 strikeouts and six walks in 13 innings.

“I think a lot of people have filled those shoes,” Carlson said. “I don’t think we have just that one guy that stands out.

“A lot of different people have stepped up, hit better, played better and pitched better. Instead of one guy, it has been more of a team effort.

“Carson Rainwater has really done a good job this year, especially on the mound. I don’t think anyone can fill Reese’s shoes hitting-wise. But pitching-wise, Carson has done a really good job, and Tyler Rodriquez has done a good job on the mound.”

The Tigers’ defense has been solid in the playoffs with no errors in two games.

“We are going to have to do like we did last week,” Carlson said. “I think last week against Lakeside we played error-free baseball.

“We have to make all the routine plays. We can’t give them plays. We can’t walk batters, stuff like that. We have to make them earn everything.”

Baseball

LHSAA State tournament

at McMurry Park

Semifinals

Tuesday

11 a.m. — S Div. V, No. 1 Avoyelles Public Charter vs. No. 5 Rapides, FIeld 41

11 a.m. — S Div. V, No. 2 Grace Christian vs. No. 3 Family Community, Field 40

11 a.m. — NS Div. V, No. 1 Pitkin vs. No. 5 Quitman, Field 37

2 p.m. — NS Div. V, No. 2 Weston vs. No. 3 Hicks, Field 37

2 p.m. — NS Div. IV, No. 1 Oak Grove vs. No. 4 DeQuincy, Field 41

2 p.m. — NS Div. IV, No. 2 Mangham vs. No. 3 French Settlement, Field 40

5:30 p.m. — S Div. IV, No. 1 Opelousas Catholic vs. No. 5 Central Catholic, Field 41

5:30 p.m. — S Div. IV, No. 2 Covenant Christian vs. No. 11 Glenbrook, FIeld 40

Wednesday

11 a.m. — NS Div. III, No. 1 South Beauregard vs. No. 5 Doyle, Field 41

11 a.m. — NS Div. III, No. 2 Sterlington vs. No. 14 Berwick, Field 40

2 p.m. — S Div. III, No. 1 St. Charles vs. No. 4 Holy Savior Menard, Field 41

2 p.m. — S. Div. III, No. 2 Parkview Baptist vs. No. 3 University Lab, Field 40

5:30 p.m. — NS Div. II, No. 1 Lutcher vs. No. 12 Iowa, Field 41

5:30 p.m. — NS Div. II, No. 6 North Vermilion vs. No. 10 Pearl River, Field 40

Thursday

11 a.m. — S Div. II, No. 1 St. Louis Catholic vs. No. 5 St. Thomas More, Field 41

11 a.m. — S Div. II, No. 2 Teurlings Catholic vs. No. 3 Vandebilt Catholic, Field 40

2 p.m. — S Div. I, No. 1 Catholic-Baton Rouge vs. No. 12 Acadiana, Field 41

2 p.m. — S Div. I, No. 2 John Curtis Christian vs. No. 3 Archbishop Rummel, FIeld 40

5:30 p.m. — NS Div. I, No. 1 Barbe vs. No. 13 Benton, Field 41

5:30 p.m. — NS Div. I, No. 2 West Monroe vs. No. 3 Sam Houston, Field 40

Finals

Friday

11 a.m. — Nonselect Div. V, Field 40

11 a.m. — Select Div. V, Field 41

2 p.m. — Nonselect Div. IV, Field 40

2 p.m. — Select Div. IV, Field 41

5:30 p.m. — Nonselect Div. III, Field 40

5:30 p.m. — Select Div. III, Field 41

Saturday

2 p.m. — Nonselect Div. II, Field 40

2 p.m. — Select Div. II, Field 41

5:30 p.m. — Nonselect Div. I, Field 40

5:30 p.m. — Select Div. I, Field 41