Off to a 3-1 start, Destrehan seems primed to win plenty of games once again in 2016. They might just go about it in a different way this time around.
While last year’s team was offensively driven, this Wildcats team is more equipped to win through a strong, deep pitching staff, a quality defense and an ability to generate offense through small ball.
The Wildcats entered the week with a 3-1 record following a strong showing at the East Ascension tournament, allowing just eight total runs in the four games, which came against Vandebilt Catholic, Parkview Baptist, Dutchtown and Holy Cross.
“We’re really the opposite of what we were last year,” said Chris Mire, entering his second season as Destrehan head coach after succeeding mentor Marty Luquet. “We were athletic and powerful offensively and we posted a lot of runs. This season we’re going to rely on pitching and defense.
“We’re strong on the mound, really deep and talented, and that can go a long way.”
Senior left-hander Cole Martin is the rotation’s top starter, returning after starting two of Destrehan’s three playoff matchups a year ago. He has signed to pitch at Southeastern.
“He really matured over the summer,” Mire said. “He’s really taken to that (No. 1 starter) role.”
Righty Brandon Wild compliments Martin in the rotation. A senior and experienced starter, Wild is described by Mire as “cool, calm and collected” on the mound.
“He throws strikes, again and again,” Mire said. “It’s nothing flashy. He’s very steady and consistent.”
Junior Brennan Cortez moves into the starting rotation after serving as the team’s closer last season. And likely boasting the most upside on the pitching staff is sophomore Landon Marceaux, who has already committed to LSU despite only making his varsity debut last week.
“(Cortez) is gritty and competitive, he really gets after it,” Mire said. “And Landon Marceaux is as good as I’ve seen at that age. He just understands pitching. He’s a guy with multiple pitches, but he understands how and when to use them. That’s really rare this early on.”
Offensively, Mire said the Wildcats don’t boast the same athleticism as they did last season, but he noted this is a smart group that understands how to manufacture a run.
“We won’t be a team that pounds out 10-plus hits every game,” Mire said. “But these guys know how to play productive baseball, how to move over a runner and get the bunt down. We’re going to make the opposition get 21 outs and continually put pressure on the defense.”
Centerfielder Dane Simon will set the table for Destrehan after hitting .450 last season as the team’s leadoff hitter. Wild will also be a key component in the lineup after blossoming as the team’s cleanup hitter last season.
“Brandon was a surprise for us,” Mire said. “He’s a hard line drive hitter and he uses the whole field. It’s gotten to the point where, if we know we need a big hit, he’s going to deliver … Dane Simon really came into his own as a hitter and he’s taken that next step after a strong season last year.”
Destrehan defeated Vandebilt Catholic 2-0 in their season opener at the East Ascension tournament. Martin pitched 6.2 shutout innings and struck out nine. He allowed four hits and walked three to earn the win. Wild went 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs.
The Wildcats moved to 2-0 with a win over Parkview Baptist, taking a 4-3 victory in nine innings. Cortez pitched four innings and allowed two earned runs, striking out four and allowing two earned runs. Nolan Lemoine allowed no earned runs over four innings and earned the win. Bryce Scioneaux earned the save with an inning of shutout ball, striking out two. Dane Simon and Jared Montz each collected two hits.
DHS played their second straight nine-inning game, falling to Dutchtown 3-2. Marceaux pitched six innings, allowing one earned run, and struck out three. Simon went 2 for 4 at the plate.
But Destrehan bounced back in their fourth and final game of the tourney to fell Holy Cross 4-2. Wild pitched the complete game to earn the victory, allowing two earned runs.
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