Destrehan’s River Parish Renegades summer team is 5-4 after two weekends of summer ball as head coach Chris Mire and his staff get a good look at who could provide a punch for the Wildcats program in 2026.
The work this summer will be key for the Wildcats after the departure of 10 seniors from this year’s prep squad, one that finished 22-14 and played its best ball down the stretch of its season.
“The entire focus of that group is getting guys ready for next year,” said Mire. “They played some very competitive baseball this past weekend and it’s been a pretty good start to the summer.”
The team will be playing weekend tournaments throughout the month. DHS hosted a round robin tournament to kick off the summer slate featuring Central Lafourche, St. Charles Catholic, Iowa and John Ehret. DHS tied Central 4-4, beat Ehret 12-0 and defeated Iowa 4-3. St. Charles came away with a 6-4 win.
Retooling the pitching staff is the primary and immediate focus. A veteran-heavy top of the rotation will give way to some newcomers – exactly which newcomers see the bulk of that work could be determined over the next few weeks.
Josh Muller will certainly be part of that after earning the program’s Pitcher of the Year honor as a freshman and delivering in several key moments, including in a victory over Hahnville late last season, pitching 5.2 shutout innings of relief and striking out six.
“We weren’t expecting that kind of performance but he just continued to improve,” Mire said.
But just as key will be his play at shortstop and his work with the bat as Destrehan looks for him to be a strong contributor in those areas in the spring.
“We love what he’s showing at shortstop. (The prep season) was his first time in a varsity lineup seeing varsity pitching … he still has to grow and get stronger, mature a bit physically, but he’s hitting the ball well and playing great in the field.”
Another player off to a good start over multiple roles is Brady Carter, who pitched out of the Wildcats’ bullpen during prep season and is now stretching out to become a starter.
“He’s had two starts, pitched deep twice and gave us a chance to win,” Mire said.
Carter is also off to a strong start with his bat. Mire noted.
“He’s been one of our main contributors so far,” Mire said.
As has been Champ White, who will be a junior in the upcoming school year.
“He did well playing JV for us … he’s been one of the top guys with this group as well,” said Mire. “He’s a young guy trying to make the varsity and get playing time.”
He also called Cam Hollis a player to watch. Hollis missed the prep season with injury – leading up to the season, he had earned a role.
“He’s another guy to watch – he’s had a nice couple of games,” Mire said.
Mire said given the productivity of the seniors who graduated last month, the team will have some spots to fill – and production to replace.
One returning player is Chase Mire, who is working from being a jack-of-all-trades utility player to potentially the full-time third baseman.
“If we can establish that, it’ll open up some things for us,” Chris Mire said.
Some of the Wildcats are playing travel ball away from the summer prep program, but that does afford Destrehan to get a good look at young players looking to break into larger roles.
In the 12-0 win over Ehret, Hollis led off for Destrehan and drove in two runs. Frank Harding went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a walk. Muller went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBIs and Carter went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored. Chase Mire was 1-for-1 with an RB and run scored.
Jaden Sloan pitched a complete game shutout for the win. He struck out three.
In the 4-3 win over Iowa, Hollis went 2-for-4 with a double, run scored and RBI. Harding and Bryson Gabler also drove in runs.
Carter went five innings and allowed two earned runs on the mound for Destrehan, striking out three.
