Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

LAPLACE — St. Charles Catholic’s winning tradition has held strong with back-to-back football championships and a 2022 baseball state title. This spring, the Comets baseball team yearns to claim another consecutive state title for the school.

Top pitchers Brady St. Pierre, Michael Hotard and Brandon Kragle returned from last year’s championship team and made an immediate impact on the mound. As of April 4, St. Charles Catholic was first in the power rankings for Division III with an impressive 19-6-1 season record. Following close behind are Notre Dame (19-4) and Pope John Paul II (18-5).

The Comets kicked off the month with wins against Archbishop Shaw and Berwick.

A strong offensive performance allowed the Comets to overpower Shaw 6-1 on Saturday, April 1. Brayden Bertucci was the winning pitcher for the Comets, striking out six, walking zero, and allowing only four hits and one run across seven innings. Hudson Heltz, Brandon Kragle and Jackson Monica were strong at the plate, contributing several hits.

Brandon Kragle threw six innings during Monday’s 6-2 win against Berwick, striking out nine, walking zero, and surrendering two runs on four hits. The Comets had nine hits with contributions from Monica, Bertucci, Ayden Authement, Joshua Jensen and Jackson Doster.

District play kicked off at the end of March as St. Charles Catholic collected two wins against Metairie Park Country Day. District was set to continue after press time this week with two contests against familiar rival Isidore Newman.