Every game takes on extra meaning
<p class="p1">In this edition of The Strike Zone, staff writers Rodrick Anderson and Warren Arceneaux discuss the upcoming weekend in high school sports.
<p class="p3"><strong>What is the best baseball game on the schedule?</strong>
<p class="p1"><strong>WA:</strong> Sam Houston at Barbe, Saturday. The Broncos have hit a rough patch after opening the season with 21 consecutive wins. Tuesday’s loss at Acadiana knocked them out of first place, where the Rams, Bucs and Sulphur are tied, a game ahead of the Broncos. A win at Barbe would get the Broncos back in the hunt and generate positive momentum.
<p class="p1"><strong>RA:</strong> Rosepine at Vinton, tonight. Rosepine reached the Class 2A semifinals last year, but the Vinton Lions have been the stars of District 5-2A this season with a 7-0 record. The Lions own a 6-3 over the Eagles and will likely throw their ace pitcher, senior Tanner Young, who has 77 strikeouts in 42 innings and struck out 10 in his last matchup with Rosepine.
<p class="p3"><strong>Which softball player will make a big impact in the playoffs?</strong>
<p class="p1"><strong>WA:</strong> St. Louis pitcher Hannah Derouen is peaking at the right time. A dominant pitcher who can get double-digit strikeout, Derouen is capable of leading the Saints back to Sulphur for the state tournament.
<p class="p1"><strong>RA:</strong> Kinder’s Sarah Gartman. A key to a deep playoff run is always a dominant pitcher and Gartman has been solid, leading the Yellow Jackets to a 23-4 record. Kinder is expected to get the No. 2 seed in Class 2A when the Louisiana High School Athletic Association releases the brackets today.
<p class="p3"><strong>Who is your baseball player to watch?</strong>
<p class="p1"><strong>WA:</strong> Grant Cholley of St. Louis. The Saints are closing in on the district title and start a big two-game set with challenger Westlake on Saturday. Cholley brings power to the offense.
<p class="p1"><strong>RA:</strong> Sulphur’s Hadyn Stutes. The Tors have will play two games in two days and will need all bats on deck to stay in the District 3-5A race. Stutes has been the Tors’ best power with 10 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 25 RBIs. He hit a two-run bomb in the Tors’ 10-0 win over Lafayette on Tuesday.