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: Pearl River High School

Head Coach: Michael Couvillion

Classification: Class 4A (Non-Select D-II)

District: 7-4A

2024 Record: 29-11

2024 Playoff Finish: State Semifinalist

No. of Returning Positional Starters: 2

No. of Returning Pitchers: 1

Team Strengths: Starting Pitching & Defense

Top Returning Players: 2025 RHP Jake Clifton (Loyola-New Orleans commit), 2025 C Dalton Sabathe (LSU-Eunice commit), 2026 OF Aiden Ward, 2026 MIF Noah Long, 2026 RHP Alexander Harwell

Team Outlook

Coming off a stellar 2024 season in which they went 29-11 overall and 8-2 in District 7-4A, the Pearl River Rebels are gearing up for another strong campaign. Despite the loss of an ultra-talented senior class that led the team to the State Semi-Finals in Sulphur, LA, and a coaching transition to new Head Coach Michael Couvillion, optimism surrounds the Rebels as they prepare to defend their co-district championship that they shared with Franklinton last spring.

Key Strengths

The backbone of the 2025 Rebels will be their starting pitching and defensive play up the middle.

Senior Jacob Clifton returns as the ace of the staff after a dominant 2024 campaign, posting a 7-1 record with a 1.38 ERA. Clifton, an All-State pitcher, is known for his poise and ability to deliver in high-leverage situations.

 

Junior Xan Harwell, a standout since his freshman year, complements Clifton at the top of the rotation. Harwell was 6-3 with a 2.81 ERA in 2024 and is expected to build on his success. Both players will also contribute offensively, potentially splitting time in the infield when not on the mound.

 

Senior catcher Dalton Sabathe, a four-year starter and elite defensive backstop, anchors the defense. His leadership behind the plate is unmatched, and his .360 batting average last year makes him a dual threat.

 

Junior Aiden Ward shifts from right field to center field, solidifying the middle of the outfield with his range and defensive instincts.

 

The infield will lean heavily on junior shortstop Noah Long, an emerging player with a steady glove and offensive potential, along with Clifton and Harwell filling in around the diamond.

Biggest Weakness

The Rebels’ most glaring challenge in 2025 will be lack of varsity experience. With over ten seniors from the 2024 class graduating — many of them three- or four-year starters — the lineup will feature players with minimal varsity innings. This inexperience could manifest in all three phases of the game:

-Hitting: Adjusting to quality varsity pitching will be a learning curve for the newer starters.

-Defense: While the middle of the field should be strong, the team’s overall ability to play clean, error-free baseball in high-pressure situations is yet to be tested.

-Pitching Depth: Beyond Clifton and Harwell, the Rebels must identify reliable third, fourth, and fifth options to round out the rotation and bullpen.

The underclassmen, particularly the sophomores and juniors, have “worked while they waited” and now have the opportunity to prove themselves. If they can step up and fill the void left by the departed seniors, Pearl River has the potential to surprise many opponents.

The 2025 Pearl River Rebels will rely on their strong pitching and defense to stay competitive in District 7-4A, but their success will ultimately hinge on how quickly their new starters adjust to the varsity level. With proven leaders like Sabathe, Clifton, and Harwell setting the tone, this team has the pieces to make another deep playoff run. However, early-season growing pains could test their resolve as they navigate life after one of the most talented senior classes in program history.

While they may not replicate the dominance of last year’s team, the Rebels have enough talent to stay in the mix for the district title and make noise in the playoffs. If the younger players hit their stride, Pearl River could once again be a dangerous team in late May.

 

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