The 2025 high school baseball season is quickly approaching and as usual, excitement abounds throughout the state.  Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Louisiana.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons in Sulphur, LA, home of the LHSAA State Championships, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes a reality.  We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Louisiana.  We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, followed by our Power 25 Rankings release, and our always popular Game of the Week segment. 

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the Bayou State.  Each week, we will be releasing our Player and Pitcher of the Week, updating our Power 25 Rankings, as well as additional content that is focused strictly on high school baseball in Louisiana.  

*Please note that all information is based on team preview questionnaires that were sent out and returned by the participating high school coaches.  If you have not received a questionnaire and would like to fill one out, please email State Director Alex Armand at [email protected]

 

High School Name: Live Oak High School

Head Coach: Jesse Cassard

Classification: Class 5A (Non-Select D-I)

District: 5-5A

2024 Record: 25-13

2024 Playoff Finish: State Quarterfinalist

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 6

No. of Returning Pitchers: 7

Team Strengths: Experience & Physicality

Top Upperclassmen (2025 & 2026 Class): 2025 Sawyer Pruitt (Louisiana-Lafayette signee), 2025 Cooper Smith (Louisiana Tech signee), 2025 Brock Davis (Northwestern State signee), 2025 RHP Jude Weller, 2025 OF Cal Cassard (Bossier Parish CC signee), 2025 RHP Trevor Hodges (Mississippi College signee), 2025 INF Brayden Allen, 2025 OF Cameron Washignton, 2025 UTIL/RHP Jace Griffin (Baton Rouge CC commit), 2026 LHP Zant Gurney, 2026 INF Mac Beadle, 2026 OF Landry Smart

Top Underclassmen (2027 & 2028 Class): 2027 Cullen Weller (Tulane commit), 2027 Dekohta Jones, 2027 Lane Billings, 2028 I.J. Ott

Team Outlook

The Live Oak Eagles enter the 2025 season with high expectations and a wealth of talent, experience, and physicality. Head Coach Jesse Cassard has called this group potentially the most athletic and talented team he has coached since he was an assistant at Barbe with their 2006 team that won a Class 5A State Title. With nine players already projected to play beyond high school, including five signees, three players with offers, and one underclassman already committed, the Eagles have the tools to make a deep playoff run and contend for the Non-Select D-I State Title.

This team returns a core group of experienced players who have embraced the weight room, gaining significant size and strength in the offseason. Each starter has shown noticeable physical improvement, a testament to their dedication to becoming a more imposing lineup.

The Eagles feature a pitching staff with seven arms that bring experience and consistency to the mound. Three pitchers are Division I prospects, while two others project as JUCO standouts. These arms pound the strike zone and give Live Oak the versatility and depth needed for a grueling playoff run.

Six left-handed hitters return to the lineup, creating matchup nightmares for opposing pitchers. This group includes several standout performers from last season who add balance and power to the lineup.

Top Returning Position Players

Senior OF Cal Cassard: The All-State outfielder hit .404 last year and has taken his game to another level this offseason, becoming stronger and faster. He will set the table for the team's offense as the Eagles projected leadoff hitter.

 

-Senior C Cooper Smith: A lean and athletic backstop, Smith hit .386 in 2024 and is fully recovered from a 2023 injury. His leadership and presence behind the plate will be critical for the Eagles.

 

-Senior MIF Brock Davis: A physical middle infielder who has gained 20 pounds of muscle, Davis will be a middle-of-the-lineup bat and a key cog in the infield.

 

-Sophomore OF Dekohta Jones: A dynamic athlete who can really run with power to all fields.  Jones will be a must-follow for college recruiters this spring in the state's 2027 class.

 

-Senior UTL Jace Griffin: A versatile player who can handle all nine positions on the field, Griffin is arguably the most improved player on the team and has several offers.

 

-Senior INF Brayden Allen: Back healthy after an injury-plagued 2024 season, Allen led the team in hitting this fall. The switch-hitter’s high baseball IQ and elite defensive skills make him a cornerstone of the infield.

 

Top Returning Pitchers

-Senior RHP Sawyer Pruitt: The towering right-hander sat 89-91 mph this fall and will be a key figure at the top of the rotation and is once again the Eagles #1 starter on the mound.

 

-Senior RHP Trevor Hodges: A three-pitch pitcher with improved secondary offerings, Hodges works in the 86-88 mph range with command of all his pitches.

 

-Senior RHP Jace Griffin: Also a position player, Griffin contributes on the mound with an 83-85 mph fastball and a plus slider.

 

-Junior LHP Zant Gurney: A crafty lefty who works at 81-83 mph and touched 85 this fall, Gurney provides a reliable southpaw option.

-Senior RHP Jude Weller: Returning from Tommy John surgery, Weller is expected to contribute significant innings this spring.

 

-Sophomore RHP Cullen Weller: As a sophomore, Cullen pitched valuable innings last year and will either serve as the team’s No. 4 starter or closer in 2025.

Staying healthy and injury-free will be crucial for the Eagles as they navigate a tough schedule and prepare for a deep playoff run. If this team remains at full strength, they have all the ingredients to make it to Sulphur and compete for a state championship.

The competition for DH and LF between Cam Washington, Landry Smart, and Lane Billings will be one to watch. The emergence of the winner will add depth and versatility to the lineup.  Also, keep an eye out for Freshman I.J. Ott, as he has the chance to earn playing time as a first-year player for the Eagles.

The 2025 Live Oak Eagles are poised to be one of the top teams in Class 5A. With a deep pitching staff, a balanced lineup, and elite athleticism, they have the potential to achieve greatness. If they can avoid injuries and capitalize on their talent and experience, this could be a special season for Coach Cassard and the Eagles, as their expectation is to be in Sulphur competing for a State Title.

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Upcoming Events

SHOWCASE	DATE	LOCATION
Lake Charles Preseason ID	1/4/25	Sam Houston High School (Moss Bluff, LA)
New Orleans Preseason ID	1/5/25	Mike Miley Stadium (Metairie, LA)
Baton Rouge Preseason ID	1/12/25	Central BR High School (Baton Rouge, LA)