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BASEBALL
Falcons dispatch Hawks.
Saint Thomas defeats Archbishop Hannan 11-4.
HAMMOND, LA—Jordan Trapani and Justin Domiano brought the big sticks as each collected three RBIs to pace an 11-4 win over visiting Archbishop Hannan. Dane Watts earned the victory on the pitcher's mound for the Falcons. The ace went three innings, allowing two runs on five hits, striking out five and walking one. Logan Pierre and Braden Bovie entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief.
Pierre led Saint Thomas with two stolen bases, as the Falcons ran wild on the base paths with five stolen bases.
Archbishop Hannan totaled eight hits. Jacob Palermo and Logan Huth each collected multiple hits for Archbishop Hannan.
Falcons facing more quality opponents this week.
Lutcher Tournament is next on the slate.
HAMMOND, LA—The Falcons are almost to the halfway point of the 2022 season that has seen them play a schedule that most 2A team would not attempt. In their first 13 games they were only the true favorite in one of them and the first 11 games were against 5A opponents to include four of the top teams in the state.
Defense, pitching, and base-running have been the early strengths of this team. The Falcons have a .950 fielding percentage and have converted one triple play. The pitching staff has combined for 82 strikeouts against 35 walks with a staff ERA of 2.784. On the base pads, the Falcons have 21 stolen bases with only two runners picked off.
At 8-5 Saint Thomas will not be able to rest on their current top spot in the Division III Power Rankings. Their schedule continues to present many challenges.
After a home game with 3A Archbishop Hannan on Tuesday, the Falcons will travel to Lutcher to compete in the annual Lutcher Tournament and face four more quality opponents with a combined record of 31-16. The Falcons will play two highly ranked 5A teams in St. Augustine and St. Amant along with games against 4A Belle Chasse ranked 8th and 2A Episcopal ranked 5th.
District play is just a couple of weeks away and if the Falcons can enter league play with a winning record, they will be well suited to take on what looks to be another tough district battle for the title.
Falcons finish 2-1 in their annual tournament.
Saint Thomas Aquinas closes out weekend play with a 11-0 rout of Saint Martin's Episcopal.
HAMMOND, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcons finished up play in their annual tournament Saturday with a convincing 11-0 shutout of Saint Martin's Episcopal. The victory gave the Falcons a 2-1 record for the weekend with their one loss to 10-ranked, 4A Lakeshore 2-1. Saint Thomas defeated 5A Fontainebleau 4-1 in their first tourney game.
Danik Reed led the Falcons to victory on the bump. After a slow start walking a pair of Saint Martin's Episcopal batters, the senior right-hander settled in surrendered zero runs on zero hits over five innings, striking out seven. Tristyn Bradley threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen fanning two. Bryson Gorrondona took the loss for Saint Martin's Episcopal. The hurler surrendered seven runs on five hits over four innings, striking out three.
The Falcons opened up scoring in the first inning, when Jordan Trapani drew a walk, scoring one run. Saint Thomas padded the margin in the sixth inning scoring three runs. The rally was led by a single by Blayne Schilling and an error on a ball put in play by Drew Milton.
Layton Pittman, Trapani, Austin Davis, Parker Perrilloux, Dane Watts, Blaine Colona, Logan Pierre, Reed, and Schilling each managed one hit to lead the Falcons. Saint Thomas ran the bases well stealing
nine bags. Caden Cuti led with two stolen bases. The Falcons were perfect in the field not committing a single error.
Falcons back to winning ways!
Saint Thomas Aquinas defeats Fontainebleau 4-1 ... Falcon Tournament.
HAMMOND, LA—After a rare three-game skid for Saint Thomas Aquinas, the Falcons returned to their winning ways besting 22nd-ranked 5A Fontainebleau 4-1. Gavin Foster earned the victory on the pitcher's mound for Saint. Thomas . The righty allowed five hits and one run over five innings, striking out ten. Logan Pierre threw two innings in relief out of the bullpen.
Fontainebleau opened up scoring in the second inning. Collin Hurley doubled on a 1-0 count, scoring one run. Saint Thomas had an answer in the third as they pulled away for good with three runs. In the third Justin Domiano singled on a 1-1 count, scoring one run, Jordan Trapani’s sac fly scored one run for Saint Thomas, and the Falcons scored another run on a stolen base. Brayden Thompson added some insurance
for the Falcons with a sac fly in the bottom of the sixth to score Layton Pittman, who singled and stole two bases.
Thompson, Domiano, Pittman, Dane Watts, and Pierre each collected one hit to lead the Falcons.
No days off ...
Saint Thomas Aquinas continues play against top teams ... Falcon Tournament.
HAMMOND, LA—After taking on five of the top 5A teams in the state and going 2-3, the Falcons will not get a break this week even in their own tournament. The Falcons are set to play 5A Fontainebleau
to open play on Thursday, followed by a game with 10th-ranked, 4A Lakeshore on Friday, and Saint Martins on Saturday.
Despite the early four losses, the Falcons hold the top spot in the Division III and 2A Combined power rankings. Playing top teams has its rewards. Following play this week, the
Falcons will play in the Lutcher Tournament and there will be no days off.
Falcons wrap up play in the Sulphur Tournament.
Saint Thomas Aquinas gives the defending 5A State Champs all they can handle.
SULPHUR, LA—The Falcons turned some heads and gained some more respect as they took on four of the top teams in 5A in the annual Sulphur Tournament going 2-2 with wins over Sulphur and Sam Houston and losses to
Zachary and Barbe, the defending 5A Champs. While the game against Barbe was a loss, the Falcons impressed getting an early 2-0 lead and coming up just short 6-5. Saint Thomas dropped to 6-3 on the season but their
performances against an array of 5A teams to start the season has earned them the number one ranking in power points as of March 6. The Falcons will be back at Tuesday as they host 5A Walker currently ranked 14th at 6-2.
David beats Goliath again!
Saint Thomas Aquinas defeats Sam Houston, the number one team in 5A, 5-4!!!
SULPHUR, LA—It was a win of biblical proportions for Saint Thomas Aquinas as the Falcons in the role of David and Sam Houston in the role of Goliath. David of the Bible threw rocks and Layton Pittman threw strikes as he went six innings against the number one team in 5A allowing six hits, four runs and striking out four to earn the 5-4 victory. Junior Bryce Simoneaux earned the save going one inning fanning one.
“This is the biggest regular season win in our program’s history,” said Cole Catalano.
The Falcons built a five-run lead in the fourth inning and then held off Sam Houston's charge for a 5-4 victory.
The Falcons started fast as a single by Pittman scored a run and a single by Brayden Thompson scored a pair of runs. Saint Thomas padded their lead in the second as Danik Reed doubled and Justin Domiano grounded into a fielder’s choice to score Reed. The Falcons added to their margin what would be the winning run in the fourth as Reed walked and scored giving Saint Thomas a 5-0 lead.
Sam Houston battled back plating two in the fourth and two more in the fifth, but Pittman and Simoneaux combined to shoutout Sam Houston over the final two innings.
Falcons knock off 10th-ranked Sulphur!
Saint Thomas scored their fifth win over a 5A opponent as they continue to face top teams to start the season.
SULPHUR, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcons continued 5A play Thursday as they upset the 10th-ranked Sulphur Tors 3-1 in the first day of play in the annual Sulphur Tournament. Senior Gavin Foster was on the bump getting the win as he allowed four hits and one run over six and two-thirds innings, striking out one.
Saint Thomas trailed 1-0 after three innings but tied it up in the top of the fourth when Foster singled driving in a run. Foster would finish the night 2-for-4 to lead the Falcons.
The Falcons took command in the top of the sixth when Brayden Thompson singled on a 1-1 count, scoring one run. Saint Thomas added another insurance run when Blayne Schilling worked the count for a walk scoring Layton Pittman.
Jake Brown led things off on the hill for Sulphur. The pitcher allowed two hits and three runs over five and a third innings, striking out 11. Brennan Babineaux and Vincent Collins entered the game as relief, throwing one inning and two-thirds of an inning respectively.
Foster’s five RBIs propells the Falcons to a 10-3 win over Covington.
Saint Thomas gets hot at the plate smacking 14 hits. Perrilloux went four-for-four at the plate.
HAMMOND, LA—Gavin Foster was bad news for Covington pitchers driving in five on three hits to lead Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcons past the Covington Lions 10-3 on Monday. Foster drove in runs on a single in the first, a double in the fourth, and a double in the fifth.
After Dane Watts and Foster combined to give the Falcons the early 1-0 lead, the Lions rallied to plate three runs in the top of the fourth. However, the Falcons were having none of that as they answered
doubling the Lion output by scoring six runs. Bryce Simoneaux doubled on a 2-1 count, scoring one run, Foster doubled on a 2-0 count, scoring two runs, and Brayden Thompson laid down a sacrifice bunt, scoring one run.
The Falcons padded their lead in the bottom of the fifth extending their runs to ten. Simoneaux got the win in relief. The righthander went one and two-thirds innings, allowing zero runs on two hits, striking out two and walking one. Tristyn Bradley and Braden Bovie entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief. Danik Reed started the game for Falconsy. The righty surrendered three runs on five hits over three and a third innings, striking out three and walking one
Parker Perrilloux, Watts, and Foster each racked up multiple hits for Saint Thomas. The Falcons were solid in the field committing zero errors with Blayne Schilling making the most plays with three.
Saint Thomas back to winning ways!
The Falcons knock off Fontainebleau 4-2. Perrilloux delivers the big hit scoring two.
MANDEVILLE, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcons returned to their winning ways Saturday knocking off previously unbeaten Fontainebleau 4-2. The victory improved the Falcons early season mark to 3-1.
Seniors Layton Pittman and Dane Watts combined for nine strikeouts on the bump with Pittman getting the start and the win.
The Falcons opened up scoring in the first inning when Dane Watts tripled on a 1-2 count, scoring one run. In the bottom of the third inning, Fontainebleau tied things up at two.
Saint Thomas pulled away for good with two runs in the fourth inning. Senior Parker Perrilloux singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring two runs.
The Falcons was sure-handed and did not commit a single error. Blayne Schilling made the most plays with four.
Saint Thomas will host Covington on Monday.
Saint Thomas rallies to earn a 10-5 win over Northshore.
Thompson doubles to score two runs a put the Falcons on top.
SLIDELL, LA—The Falcons earned their second win in a row over a 5A school defeating the Northshore Panthers 10-5 on Thursday. The Falcons stole the lead late in the game as they were down 5-4 in the top of the fifth inning when Brayden Thompson doubled on a 1-2 count, scoring two runs.
Gavin Foster was credited with the victory for Saint Thomas Aquinas. The pitcher went six innings, allowing five runs on five hits, striking out four and walking zero. Bryce Simoneaux threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen. Simoneaux recorded the last three outs to earn the save for the Falcons. Thompson and Justin Domiano all managed multiple hits for the winners.
Saint Thomas get a pair of late runs to score a 5-3 win over cross-town rival Hammond.
Trapani delivers a first inning two-run dinger. Foster went 3-for-3 at the plate. JV Falcons win 8-5.
HAMMOND, LA—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcons opened their season with a blast as Jordan Trapani sent a two-run dinger over the wall in center to pace a 3-0 first inning lead over cross-town rival Hammond. The Tors would answer in the third to tie it a three when Konnor Graham doubled on a 0-1 count, scoring two runs, but the Falcons shut the door after that allowing no more runs.
Dane Watts started on the mound for the Falcons surrendering three runs on two hits over four innings, striking out nine and walking one.
The game was tied at three with St. Thomas Aquinas batting in the top of the sixth when Gavin Foster singled on a 1-1 count, scoring two runs. Foster finished up for Watts on the mound going three
innings and fanning six. Brayden Thompson and Justin Domiano each added a hit for the winners.
Saint Thomas continues pre-season prep.
The Falcons host 5A Hahnville for the second scrimmage of the season.
HAMMOND, LA—Saint Thomas continued tuning up for the start of baseball season set for February 21 at Hammond with a scrimmage against Hahnville. The Tigers took advantage of Falcon pitchers issuing walks and
walked away with a 7-3 win. The JV Falcons remain unbeaten in pre-season winning their scrimmage 9-5. The Falcons will be on the road for their first four contests before returning home to host Covington February 28.
Falcons walk off with a 4-3 win over Episcopal.
Saint Thomas has first scrimmage.
HAMMOND, LA—Falcon baseball fans got their first taste of the season Thursday night as Saint Thomas entertained Episcopal in a seven inning scrimmage. After a season of drama and late comebacks last year, the Falcons did not disappoint in their first outing this year rallying from a 3-1 deficit to walk off in the bottom of the seventh with a 4-3 win. The Falcons tied the score at three in the bottom of the sixth and sophomore Braeden Bovie send the Knights down in order in the top of the seventh. In the bottom half, senior Parker Perrilloux smacked a one out single and scored on a passed ball after Saint Thomas loaded the bases for the win.
The Falcons dominated the JV contest wining 6-0 out-hitting the visitors 4-2.
From underdogs to hopefully top dogs ...
Falcons begin their 2022 journey Saturday.
HAMMOND, LA—The 2022 baseball season starts this Friday and Saturday as the Falcons will host the annual umpire scrimmage. The weather will be just under fifty degrees, cloudy with a slight chance of rain. For Saint Thomas Aquinas their pre-district schedule portends to be like the weather cloudy with a slight chance of rain. The Falcons will be underdogs in 12 of their 24 games before the start of district play. The chase for power points by playing up in competition most often results in teams taking their fair share of losses but it also can be an opportunity to get better by playing the best as iron sharpens iron.
With a schedule that features the likes of Barbe, Sam Houston, Zachary, and Walker just to name a few, the Falcons will be playing against some of the top talent in the state and facing teams that look like small college clubs when they step off the bus. On paper, if Vegas was offering betting odds, the Falcons will be clear underdogs in over half of their first 24 games.
Saint Thomas will start with a trio of scrimmages that get progressively more challenging with a game against Loranger, then Episcopal and then 5A Hahnville, who finished 23-14 last season. After opening against cross-town rival Hammond, the Falcons will head to Saint Tammany to play four 5A schools some they are favored over but a good Covington team will be waiting.
March opens with the Falcons facing the toughest part of their schedule much like a group of gladiators shipped down the road to entertain the kings of high school baseball in the big arena as they will battle Sulphur, Zachary, Barbe, and Sam Houston March 3-8.
The schedule heats up again the final two weeks of March just prior to the start of the district as games with Saint Augustine, Saint Amant, Franklinton, Vanderbilt Catholic and Ascension Episcopal are on the slate.
After 24 non-district games that will surely test the Falcons physically and mentally, the league schedule will offer no breaks as the battle for District 10-2A will offer no days off for anyone.
With the task ahead, the Falcons will likely take their share of loses, but how they respond facing their giants in the arena will determine whether their battle testing made them better or made them retreat. Underdogs become big dogs by facing big dogs. Win or lose on the scoreboard it only matters that one remains standing ready for the next challenge. The chase for a state title offers no shortcuts and often cuts you deeply along with way, but taking the hard journey readies one for success.
Expectations, hype, and unfinished business ...
2022 Saint Thomas Aquinas Baseball Preview
HAMMOND, LA—Expectations and hype is what surrounds the Saint Thomas Aquinas baseball program most seasons and especially since 2014 as the Falcons have accumulated 186 wins along with four trips to the final four collecting a state title in 2016 and a runner-up in 2018. For the 2022 team it is just unfinished business. The Falcons lost 3-2 in the 2021 semi-finals to Notre Dame the eventual Division III State Champions, and with ten seniors and a returning pitching staff along with talent at the plate an echo chamber of expectations and hype follows this year’s team as perhaps never before. Yet, players and coaches are not feeling the pressure. They are just focused on their jobs and having fun.
“It is really not much pressure because when you come to Saint Thomas and play baseball, there is going to be expectations to win a state championship,” said senior pitcher Layton Pittman. “We as players just embrace it and obviously you have to go out and do the work, and get the job done. Nothing is handed to you. We just try to have fun out there and the wins will come.”
“I believe this is their year,” echoed Saint Thomas Aquinas head baseball coach Cole Catalano. “They have worked really hard to hopefully accomplish the goals they have set for themselves. This is a veteran team. We have ten seniors. This is one team that I do not have to worry if they put in the extra work. I know if we coaches are not there or a practice should get cancelled they are still going to get their work in. They are motivated and driven to do all the things that make up a good team.”
“I always tell the boys that there is a right way and a wrong way of doing things and then there is the Saint Thomas way,” continued Catalano. “The 2016 State Championship team bought in, and to be honest that team did not have near the talent we have right now, but they all bought in to what the common goal was and they all did the right thing at the right time. That is why they had success.”
Certainly doing things the right way has a lot to do with how well a team bonds together. “Chemistry is the main strength of this team,” explained senior pitcher and center-fielder Dane Watts. “We have a close group of seniors that have been close since our freshman year. We definitely have a genuine love and respect for each other. There is nothing fake about us. We all go to work together and really do a lot together off the field.”
Last year’s team finished with a 28-5 regular season record and shared the league championship with Doyle at 8-2 earning the number four seed in the Division III State playoffs. Catalano and his staff are working to try to improve their seeding this season and playing one of the toughest schedules in their history they believe will give them a chance at more power points.
“Our first fifteen games or so are against 5A opponents,” explained Catalano. “I told the guys do you want to go 28-5 and fall short at the end or do you want to play the toughest schedule ever and have a chance to be the state champions at the end,” continued Catalano.
“Everybody in Division III makes the playoffs. Everybody gets a trophy so to speak, but seeding is what matters and good scheduling based on a team’s ability will help you get a better seed and that allows you to play at home in the playoffs. We have a great atmosphere at our park and great facilities. We are hard to beat at home. Our goal is to schedule in a way that gives up the chance to be in the top four in the playoff bracket.”
“No doubt folks will look at our schedule and wonder if we might be jumping in the lion’s den a bit much with the likes of Barbe, Sam Houston, Zachary, Walker, and Sulphur just to name a few on our slate,” said Catalano. “But, we are not afraid of anyone. Our guys will be battle-tested for sure come district play and the post season.”
The Falcon coaches see depth as a real key this season with talent on the front end and quality depth backing up starters. The Falcons return their entire pitching staff which this year includes seven seniors. If that is not enough the Falcons have some juniors and a collection of younger guys that will add another layer of depth on the bump. Among the seniors, Gavin Foster, Logan Pierre, Hayden Asprion, Danik Reed, Parker Perrilloux, Pittman, and Watts all pitch and senior catcher Jordan Trapani will be behind the plate.
“Overall we are deep,” said Catalano. “We have thirty-five guys on this teams and they all know they have a role. I like our depth especially on the mound, and because we have depth this is a year I have to manage well putting the right pieces in at the right times. Depth is what allows this program to continue to flourish from year to year.”
Earning a starting position on this year’s team is not an easy task explains Catalano. “We have juniors and some sophomores that could earn starting jobs on other teams. Fielding and hitting positions are mostly locked up at this point, but you can never have enough pitching. If a guy can prove he can throw strikes and work fast he can earn some playing time. Folks are going to see some of these younger guys step up and shock them. It is about taking advantage of the opportunities you get.”
The Falcon coaches are making sure all their players get some time on the field even if not in varsity games. “We do care a lot about JV baseball that is why we scheduled 17 games for this year,” said Catalano. “The young guys are our future and maybe even sometimes the right now if they develop during the season and you need them to step into a varsity game. They are experiencing and going through the same things that the older guys do in the course of a season.”
At the plate, the Falcons lost a pair of college signees to graduation in Casey Artigues and Jaden Collura, but Catalano believes the returning group are up to the task at the plate. “I feel like we have a solid eleven guys offensively that can go out and get the job done,” said Catalano. “It is the player’s job to go to the plate and compete and as coaches it is our job to find ways to score runs. Again it goes back to depth. We have some guys that have had to wait a couple of years to get their opportunity, and now it is their time. For one example there is Brayden Thompson. He is probably the strongest kid on this team. He has waited patiently. He is a two-way guy in football. Drew Milton is another one who has waited and he was a two-way guy in football and plays basketball too. These are two seniors who have waited for their opportunity in baseball and now it is time for them to shine.”
“You never want to put pressure on any one guy, but certainly (Jordan) Trapani, our senior catcher, is one that we expect to continue to step up at the plate,” said Catalano. “He has been solid at the plate for the last two seasons and we are excited to see what his senior season will bring.”
“I guess I am a weird coach because I believe there is an “I” in team because there is,” explained Catalano. “When you are at the plate, on the mound or in the field, you have to get it done. The team is relying on you so if you do not step up and do your job then you are not helping your team with the confidence to get the overall victory. So I always tell them there is an “I” in team.”
Getting off the field quickly and not allowing teams to extend innings has been a mainstay at Saint Thomas. Defense wins is their motto. “We have had some really good defensive teams here and of course defense wins championships,” said Catalano. “We take great pride in our play in the field.”
“We tell guys do not be cocky that can lead to loss of focus but be confident” continued Catalano. “You can go up 1-0 mentally on your opponent in your pregame just by being sharp in your warm-up with the ball never hitting the ground. I tell the guys that everything you do is being watched by the younger guys on your team but also by the opposing team. That is why it is important to do all the little things right. If you are sloppy warming up you are telling everyone that you are not out there for the right reasons.”
Along with talent and executing all the technical aspects of the game that are necessary to make a deep playoff run, leadership is required. Teams need those that will step up and out and set the example both by action and by their words. Senior Hayden Asprion, who was injured most of last season, sees his role as unique since he only pitches thus, he will spend more time in the dugout with the younger players than most of other the seniors.
“I think the best way to lead in sports is to lead by example,” said Asprion. “You do not have to be the most verbal guy on the field but just by doing things right good things will come from that. If an underclassman sees a senior doing something right, then they are more likely to want to do the same. As someone who only pitches, I see one of my roles this year is keeping our dugout in the game and alive and supporting the guys on the field.”
Watts, a senior who has signed with Southeastern, added another perspective on leadership. “You have to focus on what you can control and not try to do other people’s jobs, but rather help them to do their job and hold them accountable.”
Both Watts and Asprion played football. Watts just his junior year and Asprion the past two season. Along with all the weight room work required in football that builds physical strength both said that the experience made them stronger mentally. “Playing against Hannan this year in football at Southeastern was a real confidence builder for me,” said Asprion. “I had a really good game that night and I was going up against a really good punter that is well known, and I was able to out kick him that game. When you compete in another sport you just carry it onto another one. Playing football really helped me get my mind right to be able to go out and compete at baseball again.”
It may be hard to top last year District 10-2A race that saw the District teams combine for a 108 wins with four teams with double-digit wins including three with more than twenty wins. Yet, Catalano is expecting another competitive year that will offer its share of thrillers and close games.
“Springfield has two really good pitchers this season,” said Catalano. “Doyle whether they lose a lot to graduation, they will always be a good, well coached team. Pope John Paul II is on the rise with a new coach. Northlake also has a good future but even right now they can go and beat anybody in this district. French Settlement has two new coaches so this district is going to be tough to win. You better be ready to play. Teams at the bottom of the standings beat teams at the top last year. Nobody is going to run away with this league.”
Asprion, Pittman, and Watts all agreed that when it comes to district play there are two teams that always get their competitive juices flowing and losing to them is just not an option. “Both Doyle and Springfield get me extra motivated when we play them,” said Watts. “I know players on both teams and losing is not an option against those guys.”
Pittman added Hammond to his list along with the two district foes. “You always want to beat your cross-town rival.”
While the goal is always to pursue excellence and win a championship, Catalano sees his role and this program as so much more than baseball. “All my relationships is what I take the most pride in. I get phone calls sometimes from former players and often they end the conversation with ‘I love you, coach’. When you have a player that tells you that, you know you have impacted their life and that is what I am here to do. At the end of the day gaining the respect of the players who come back and visit and take the time to call that is the ultimate goal for me.”
It is not so much that winning is hard but rather winning consistently because you get a target on your back and everyone especially district foes give you’re their best effort. For the 2022 Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcons there are indeed no days off. From a pre-district schedule that is likely the toughest ever in Falcon history to a district full of teams anxious to knock you off, the Falcons will be tested like never before, but expectations are they will pass with flying colors.
Winter drills done and now a look ahead ...
2021 was a year to remember in District 10-2A and could be again.
Photo Gallery World Series Intrasquad
HAMMOND, LA—The teams in District 10-2A will enter the 2022 season coming off one of their best combined performances as the District produced four double-digit winners including three with twenty-plus wins. All total the teams combined for a record of 108 wins earning three top six seeding selections in the playoff brackets with Doyle the top seed in 2A and Springfield the number six seed, while Saint Thomas was the four seed in Division III on the private school side. Doyle earned state runner-up honors and Saint Thomas reached the semi-finals before elimination. Springfield earned a trip to the quarterfinals before being eliminated.
Doyle and Saint Thomas shared the District title with both defeating the other on the road and both getting upset in league games as Doyle fell to Pope John Paul II and Saint Thomas lost to Northlake. The league season opened with a thriller when Doyle needed extra innings to escape with a 1-0 win over Springfield. Saint Thomas had to rally at home to avoid a second loss to Northlake. It was a competitive District where taking any game for granted was a recipe for trouble.
It is too early to make any real predictions of who will be the District front-runner this season. Saint Thomas returns its entire pitching staff but needs to replace a pair of college signees at the plate. Springfield will return a pair of all-state pitchers but will need to find some support around them. Doyle who has dominated over the past three seasons collecting a pair of state runner-up trophies seems to always reload rather than rebuild. Pope John Paul II was the breakout team last season taking third place and stealing a game from Doyle. They expect to continue to make some noise in league play. Northlake was down some last season rebuilding, but they still shook up the league beating Saint Thomas and almost doing it a second time. French Settlement a young team last season is not that far removed from a quarterfinal appearance in 2019. The Lions expect to improve their win total this season.
Saint Thomas has won 186 games since 2014 an average of 23 wins per season and that includes 2020 when the Falcons only played 13 games due to the pandemic. Take out the Covid season and the average is 25 wins per year. Championships are hard to win as the Falcons only have one during this stretch along with a runner-up finish. Saint Thomas will have ten seniors on the roster in 2022 and all of them are key contributors. Experience matters but is no guarantee of success. The Falcons will play one of their most difficult pre-district schedules in history with a host of big name 5A programs on the list. Some losses may come early but the testing will no doubt more than prepare the Falcons for the run at District and a return to Sulphur. Expectations and hype are just that. In the end teams have to do the work, show up and earn their wins. Opinions and polls are fun too but do not win games.
Maroon Squad wins intrasquad series 2-1.
Falcon Baseball wraps up winter practice.
HAMMOND, LA—The Falcon baseball team wrapped up its winter practices with a three-game intrasquad series that was won by the Maroon Squad 2-1 over the Black Squad. The Black Squad took the first game 6-1 but saw the
Maroon team knot the series at one apiece and then rally from 6-4 down to take the series with s 7-6 win in game three. The Falcons will take a break until practice resumes for all state teams in late January with Jamborees starting
in February.
Southeastern Lions ink Dane Watts.
Senior headed to play for the Lions.
HAMMOND, LA—Senior Dane Watts will be staying home next year as he is inked his commitment to become a Southeastern Lion and continue his education in Hammond. Watts impressed as a junior racking up 32 RBIs, 4 homers, and
a .380 batting average. He was stellar on the mound as a lefty finishing with a 6-1 record.
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Top Story
2022 Schedule
2022 Roster
2016 State Champions
Practice Galleries ...
JV Practice
Power Rankings
TOP TEN Combined 2A
1 FALCONS STA
2 Dunham
3 Rosepine
4 Avoyelles Charter
5 Episcopal
6 Northeast
7 Springfield
8 St. Charles
9 Fisher
10 Notre Dame
Division III
March 16
1 FALCONS
8 Pope John Paul II
13 Northlake Christian
Power Rankings
Class 2A
March 16
4 Springfield
12 Fr. Settlement
13 Doyle
2022 District 10-2A
Springfield 10-4, 0-0
Fr. Settlement 7-4, 0-0
FALCONS 9-5, 0-0
Doyle 7-5, 0-0
PJP II 7-6-1, 0-0
Northlake 5-7, 0-0
2021 District 10-2A
FALCONS 8-2, 28-6
Doyle 8-2, 27-8
PJP II 6-4, 16-9
Springfield 5-5, 24-10
Northlake 2-7, 8-21
Fr. Settlement 0-9, 5-16
2016 Two-Game rally over Notre Dame
2020 District 10-2A
Doyle 8-0, 0-0
Fr. Settlement 5-0, 0-0
FALCONS 8-5, 0-0
Springfield 6-5, 0-0
Northlake 4-5, 0-0
PJP II 2-6, 0-0
2019 District 10-2A Standings
Doyle 29-12, 7-2
FALCONS 24-10. 6-3
Fr. Settle. 15-15, 3-6
Springfield 8-22, 2-7
2018 District 9-2A Standings
FALCONS 30-5. 9-0
Doyle 15-16. 4-5
Springfield 11-14. 4-5
Fr. Settle. 11-12. 1-8
2017 District 9-2A Standings
FALCONS 25-6, 9-0
Springfield 13-14, 4-5
Fr. Settle. 20-10, 3-6
Doyle 10-21, 2-7
2016 District 9-2A Standings
FALCONS 32-3, 9-0
Doyle 16-15, 5-4
Springfield 7-17, 2-7
Fr. Settle. 12-13, 1-8
2015 Record
21-10, 5-3
2014 Record
Overall 18-13
District 8-4
April 11, 2019
FALCONS 11
French Settlement 0
Luke Sweeney ... Perfect Game Winner.
March 18, 2014
FALCONS 10
Sumner 0
Bleakley ... Perfect Game Winner.
2013 Summer Record
JV FALCONS 10-5
FALCONS 8-8
2013 Season Record
FALCONS 18-14, 7-5
JV FALCONS 9-1
2012 Records
21-11-1, District 8-4
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