2026 CENLA Baseball Season Previews

by Marshall Loeffler

The Buckeye Panthers are gearing up for a competitive 2026 season in Division II Select baseball, with first-year head coach Marty Dewees looking to guide a veteran core into deeper playoff territory. Dewees inherits a squad that notched 20 regular-season wins in 2025 before a quarterfinal exit. The focus now is on building momentum and putting it towards a chance to make it to Sulphur. “These guys play baseball from a very young age growing up and they’re used to playing multiple positions… they compete. They really, really compete here,” Dewees said.The Panthers return a solid group of four seniors who anchor the lineup and provide leadership:

• Kaden Grimmett: A senior with experience at shortshop and and member of the All-State Honorable Mention team.
• Ty Curtis: An All-District player who will be valuable at DH before play football for LCU in the fall
• AJ Armand: Handed catching last year for an All State pitcher
• Brenton Fitzback, Haydin Barzare, Justin Hunt, and Zach Craig are all ready for big time innings.

Pitching depth remains a strength, with years of experience helping develop arms on this coaching staff. Lefty Justin Hunt emerged as a reliable third starter amid injuries last year and threw well in a recent tune-up against Grant. The staff is “three deep” in spots, allowing versatility where players can handle multiple roles. Offensively, the approach is to attack fastballs in the zone, leverage their speed for base running, and adjust lineups based on matchups. “We’re not blessed to have just 20 position guys… guys are playing both sides of the ball and got an opportunity to be in the game every day. So, it helps. They’re more invested,” Dewees noted.

Defensively, graduating five seniors opens opportunities for guys that combined their talent with the work. The senior class—Grimmett, Curtis, Armand, Fitzback, Barezare, and Webb—drive the culture. “It’s a player-driven team. They get out there, they work together well. Our older guys do well with our younger guys… when it comes game time, it’s theirs. They take control of it,” Dewees explained. The schedule tests the team early: Next week brings a trip to Lake Charles for the Westlake tournament (facing Iota, Brusly, and Westlake). The Red River Classic includes local tilts vs. Menard and Avoyelles, plus a matchup with Central-BR. Dewees is bullish on the group’s potential: “I think once it happens, it’s going to be special out here.”