by Malcolm Butler
Cedar Creek is one win away from playing for the school’s first baseball state title in more than a decade.
Head coach Chad Yates and Co. will square off against No. 2 seed Covenant Christian today at 5:30 p.m. at McMurry Park (Field 41) in Sulphur in one of two semifinal match-ups in Select School Division IV.
The winner will advance to Wednesday’s winner-take-all state title game against the winner of No. 5 seed OCS and No. 16 seed Central Catholic, who play at the same time today on Field 40 at McMurry Park.
Cedar Creek (26-5) is looking for its third state title in baseball in school history as the Cougars won in 2000 and then again in 2014. The Cougars have won 11 of their last 13 with the lone two losses coming to Glenbrook.
“Our guys are loose,” said Yates. “We had workout at Tech on Sunday. We came down (Monday) and worked out at McNeese. Our guys are ready to compete again. We won’t build up the atmosphere or setting to be more than it is. It’s a baseball game. We just need to go out and do the things we’ve trained all year to do. Nothing changes for us.”
After earning a first round bye, Cedar Creek defeated No. 14 seed Central Private 3-1 in the second round and then knocked off No. 6 seed Riverside 4-3 in the quarterfinals.
Yates said Monday that he plans to start LSU commit Kade Luker on the mound against Covenant Christian, who advance to the semifinals with wins over No. 18 seed Ascension Catholic (11-1) and No. 7 St. Edmund (7-2).
Covenant Christian is 30-6 on the season and has won 10 straight games and 21 of its last 22 with the lone loss coming to Gonzaga College High School out of Washington, D.C. This marks the third straight year that Covenant Christian has made the state tournament as the Lions have fallen in the semifinal round both years.
“They are a team repeating semifinal appearance from last year,” said Yates. “They were 33-0 last year going into the semifinals. They have played a good, competitive schedule. The info I have on them having not seen them play is they are a gritty baseball team. They catch the ball. They compete. They like to create some chaos on the bases and take advantage of your mistakes. Pitching wise, they aren’t overpowering. They pitch to the zone and to their defense. They just know how to win.”
Their lone loss last season came against OCS in the state semifinals. The Lions have never won a state title in baseball as an LHSAA program.
The game can be viewed on the LHSAA Network.
