Tom Dodge
Even after a 2-5 start to the season, St. Edmund head baseball coach Barry Manuel has a positive outlook on the year.
The Blue Jays will have a full roster after the conclusion of the basketball season, which Manuel says adds experience and depth to his team.
“We have six seniors – Remi Guillory, Wesley Driggs, Gus Brown, Henry Brown, T.J. Deshotel and Beau Chene transfer Braden Albarado,” the coach said. “We are looking for leadership from them and several of the juniors.
“Once we get all the basketball guys in and get everybody together, I think things will turn out pretty good for us.”
Manuel said the Blue Jay pitching staff will have to lead the way to a successful season.
“Daven Benoit, Braden and Remi are three guys we are depending on to anchor it down,” the coach said. “We also have Luke Vidrine and Garrett Dubois that will be vital as well.”
Manuel said the defensive line-up will change depending on who is pitching.
The 2020 season was cancelled due the coronavirus pandemic just as the Blue Jays were starting the year.
“I think the guys realize that they can’t take anything for granted,” Manuel said. “I felt bad for last year’s seniors because I thought we had a chance to make a good run.
“This team saw they and they know any day something could happen to affect the season.”
Manuel said he likes the schedule that will help his team improve as the season goes on.
“We are playing Notre Dame, Ascension Episcopal, Beau Chene and other good teams,” he said. “We need to face tough teams in order to get better.”
The coach said he felt the District 5-1A race will be battle.
“Opelousas Catholic and Sacred Heart of Ville Platte will be tough this season,” Manuel said. “Westminster Christian Academy and Catholic High of Pointe Coupee make for a challenging district.
“But I like that because when we get to the playoffs we would have already seen some quality teams that have good pitchers and good hitters.”
The Blue Jay coach said his team appreciates the St. Edmund baseball tradition.
The Blue Jays have six state baseball championships including 1980, 1983, 1988, 1991, 1996 and 1998.
They finished as Class 1-A state runners-up in 2001 and 2015.
“I am hoping we can get the taste of a good run in the playoffs,” he said. “It should always be our goal to win a state championship.”
Manuel said he is hoping his team can do the little things well to build a successful district run and win in the playoffs.
“They need to do everything right on and off the field,” the coach said. “That will show up as wins on the field.”
St. Edmund will entertain Iota on Tuesday.