All-Metro Baseball

Classes 5A, 4A

Outstanding player: Mills Richardson, Catholic, Sr.

Catholic senior Mills Richardson entered his final high school season with one goal: to help the Bears win their third straight state championship.

Richardson did what it took to make that dream a reality. On the mound, the right-hander finished with a 10-1 record and 1.60 ERA. He had a 1.00 WHIP and a .200 opponent’s batting average over 67⅔ innings.

Richardson also played shortstop and batted .310 with a .453 on-base percentage. He hit three home runs and had 15 RBIs.

His talent and fortitude took center stage in the Division I select state title series against Brother Martin in May. In Game 2 of the series, Richardson threw 115 pitches over nine innings. Richardson held the Crusaders at bay, allowing one earned run on six hits. He played a key role in a 3-2, 15-inning victory that ended in Catholic’s third straight title. It was the longest state championship baseball game in LHSAA history.

For his efforts, Richardson was named the state championship’s most outstanding player.

“I’d do anything for this team,” Richardson said after the game. “I knew I needed to do that, and just threw my guts on the line.”

For Richardson’s outstanding season on the mound and at the plate, he was named The Advocate’s All-Metro outstanding player for classes 4A and 5A.

Coach of the year: Chris Schexnaydre, Dutchtown

During the postseason, Schexnaydre dubbed his team the “Gritty Griffins.” It was a fitting name for a team that entered the Division I nonselect playoffs as the No. 8 seed.

His Griffins defeated the top seed in the bracket, Barbe, which was ranked as a top-five team in the nation entering the quarterfinal series. Dutchtown won the best-of-three series 2-1. The Griffins then defeated No. 4 Zachary in the semifinals to reach their first state title series since 2009.

For his efforts in leading Dutchtown to a state championship appearance, Schexnaydre was named The Advocate’s All-Metro coach of the year for classes 4A and 5A.

All-Metro team

Pitchers

Kason Johnson, Dutchtown Sr.

Went 8-1 with 1.22 ERA

Dane Bodin, Lutcher, Sr.

Went 8-0 with 2.12 ERA

Maxwell Sanchez, Prairieville, Sr.

Went 6-0 with 1.29 ERA

Noah Sullivan, Zachary, Sr.

Had 9 wins with 2.01 ERA

Aubrey St. Angelo, Brusly, Sr.

Went 7-1 with 0.82 ERA

Catcher

Mason Rogillio, West Feliciana, Jr.

Hit .360

Infielders

Hayes Seger, Catholic, Sr.

Hit .376

Jaden Ard, Walker, Sr.

Hit .396

Madden McClure, Zachary, Sr.

Hit .376

Isaiah Daley, Brusly, So.

Hit .413

Outfielders:

Tate Tassin, Brusly, Jr.

Hit .449

Cooper Templet, St. Amant, So.

Hit .408

Harrison Kidder, Catholic, Sr.

Hit .403

Utility:

Mills Richardson, Catholic, Sr.

Went 10-1 with 1.60 ERA, hit .310

Brayden Ray, Brusly, Sr.

Went 7-0 with 2.02 ERA, hit .417

Braden Sanders, Zachary, Sr.

Hit .346

Braylen Montgomery, Walker, Sr.

Hit .323

Cole Guidroz, Central, Sr.

Went 6-2 with 1.75 ERA, hit .488

Tre Daley, Brusly, Sr.

Hit .419

Cameron DeRoche, Lutcher, Sr.

Hit .334, went 5-0 with 1.46 ERA

Zant Gurney, Live Oak, Sr.

Went 6-3-1 with 2.80 ERA, hit .275

Eli Freeman, Dutchtown, Sr.

Hit .357

Classes 3A and below

Outstanding player: Shepherd Gammon, University High, Jr.

In a season filled with big hits, Cubs junior Shepherd Gammon proved to be a handful for opposing pitchers.

He finished the 2026 season with a .384 average and a .503 on-base percentage. He hit 19 doubles, four triples and two home runs. Gammon also totaled 24 RBIs, 49 runs and seven stolen bases.

The junior was a threat at the top of the Cubs lineup and a key piece in U-High reaching the Division III select state title series. His postseason was filled with big at-bats, including a home run he hit against Episcopal in the second round of the playoffs.

“Shep’s been one of our guys all year long,” coach Jon Ramsey said April 23 after the Episcopal game.

In the state title series against Newman, Gammon knocked two doubles and had an RBI in a Game 1 victory.

For his consistency at the plate and big-game performances, Gammon was named The Advocate’s All-Metro classes 3A and below outstanding player.

Coach of the Year: Jon Ramsey, University High

University High has become the definition of consistency under coach Jon Ramsey. He guided the Cubs to their third straight Division III select state title appearance while developing another talented team that earned the top seed in the postseason.

Whether through blowout wins or comebacks, U-High continued to stack them up in 2026. For another great season that ended in Sulphur, Ramsey was named The Advocate’s All-Metro coach of the year.

All-Metro team

Pitchers

Logan Sorrel, Parkview Baptist, Sr.

Had a 1.51 ERA

Brody Mayeux, University High, Sr.

Went 7-2 with 1.58 ERA

Jake Wooten, Parkview Baptist, Jr.

Had a 1.54 ERA

Luke Becnel, St. James, Fr.

Went 7-1 with 1.62 ERA

Gavin Blanton, Dunham, Sr.

Went 4-1 with 1.57 ERA

Catcher:

Nathan Burleigh, St. John, Sr.

Hit .310

Infielders:

Shepherd Gammon, University High, Jr.

Hit .384

Tyler Edwards, St. John, Sr.

Hit .460

Caleb Ortiz, Albany, Sr.

Hit .410

Trey Sotile, University High, Sr.

Hit .367

Outfielders:

Jaris Hamilton, University High, Sr.

Hit .366

Jackson Peyton, Dunham, Jr.

Hit .341

Myka Nipple, Catholic-PC, Jr.

Hit .425

Utility

Henry Beckers, Parkview Baptist, Sr.

Hit .442, had 2.20 ERA

Henry Kucharchuk, Episcopal, Jr.

Had a 3.70 ERA

Zach Hu, Episcopal, Sr.

Hit .305, Had a 4.60 ERA

Jude Morrison, Catholic-PC, Sr.

Hit .377, Had a 1.50 ERA

Bryce Bankston, Albany, Jr.

Hit .377, Had a 1.69 ERA

Luke Brignac, Ascension Christian, Jr.

Hit .398, Had a 3.27 ERA