Prep Baseball Report

High School Team Preview: No. 19 St. Michael's




Trey Sofio
Louisiana Scouting Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will be posting high school team previews every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage:

Team: St. Michael’s
Preseason Rank:
No. 19
2016 Record:
24-8-1
District:
6-4A
LHSAA Class:
4A
Head Coach:
Johnny Bernhard
Playoff Run: Semi-Finals
2016 Final Rank: 15
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers:
4

TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Ross Scelfo, C, 2017
Dwain Varisco, 2B/SS, 2017
Kyle Fontenot, INF, 2018
Nolan Tiersch, SS, 2017
Mitch Roe, OF, 2017
Evan Becnel, RHP, 2017
Cayde Miller, RHP, 2017
Scott Terrell, RHP, 2017
Mason Gremillion, RHP, 2017

X-FACTOR
2017 Ross Scelfo was a significant piece in the semi-final run in 2016 for St. Michael’s. He returns in 2017 as a proven bat that hit .408 with 12 XBH and 27 RBI, and those numbers only look to improve during his senior campaign. In addition to the offensive firepower Scelfo provides in the middle of the order, he his reliable and talented backstop that neutralized the running game for the opposition in 2016.

OUTLOOK
The 2016 season was obviously a great success for St. Michael’s, making it all the way to the semi-finals in class 4A, but came up two wins short of the ultimate goal. However, the return of five everyday starters and four pitchers, creates an incredible amount of excitement, around a program that has already seen big success, for what could lie ahead in 2017. Seniors, Dwain Varisco who hit .373 with 2 HR last year, Nolan Tiersch who is a physically gifted athlete with loads of experience, and Scott Terrell who can sit in the mid-80s, throws strikes and went 8 and 1 with 2.03 ERA, make it easy to get excited in 2017 if you are a Warrior fan.

BOTTOM LINE
The Warriors are primed for another big season, they look to be the class of district 6-4A heading into the 2017 season. But major battles loom ahead in the division-2 playoffs this year, and although there are few teams, there is certainly a wealth of highly talented teams vying for the crown. Area-rival, Parkview Baptist, will be strong in 2017, and defending 4A state champion, and 2016’s PBR Power 25 final No. 1, Teurlings Catholic, will be playing in the division-2 state playoffs. Not to mention, perennial powerhouse, St. Thomas More. Needless to say, division-2 will be a fun watch when playoff time rolls around.

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