2026 CENLA Baseball Season Previews

by Marshall Loeffler

The LaSalle Tigers are off to a strong 5-0 start in the 2026 high school baseball season in Division IV, building early momentum in Olla under second-year head coach Josh Boyett, who is focused on establishing pitching consistency, situational execution, and a no-shortcuts mentality to return the program to the playoffs. The Tigers skipper is a 2014 LaSalle graduate, and his Tigers kicked off with a home win over Simsboro and a road victory at Homer, showcasing early promise after a learning-curve filled 2025 campaign.

This year, Coach Boyett said the emphasis is on controlling what the Tigers can control—staying in the zone, limiting free bases, and winning the routine plays. Pitching is the cornerstone, with the team replacing a graduated ace through youth and experience. “We may not have that type of velocity right now, but we have a lot of young guys that have pitched a lot… and have more experience under their belt,” Boyett said. “They may not be as dominant at first look, but they will be just as effective. If we can just stay in the zone, give up less free bases, we should be just fine.” Offensively, the approach is “grind-it-out”: quality at-bats, situational hitting, aggressive base running; the Tigers will be avoiding reliance on home runs.

Key returners and early leaders include:

• Jessey Stowe (catcher): A breakout first-year starter last season (stepping in after an injury), quick behind the plate, keeps balls in front, solid leadoff hitter who blossomed into a cornerstone.
• Mason Lee and Lane Burnham (middle infielders) who were Second-team all-district as freshmen last year; now sophomores with added strength, speed, glove work, and offensive pop.
• They form the 1-2-3 in the lineup, expected to set the tone after gelling late last season.

The schedule mixes comparable competition with quality arms to build consistency and prepare for a tough Division IV bracket. Early non-district tilts (including the recent Jamboree to debut of facility upgrades) expose the team to varied challenges, setting up for district play against strong programs like St. Mary and Montgomery. Boyett’s philosophy is clear: “No shortcuts.” Hard work in the weight room, offseason training, and practices at 100% effort is non-negotiable. “I want them to turn every stone and do everything the right way… hoping that at the end of this season… we can look back on all the things that we did do… and say, ‘Man, that was worth it.'”

Community support for LHS has fueled visible improvements—turf around home plate, new outfield fence, padding, and more planned for summer—thanks to generous locals. “There’s no place like Olla as far as how supportive the people in this community are.”