The CCA pitching staff returned virtually all of its varsity innings this spring off a team that made it to Sulphur.
Through 2 weeks of the season, that experience shows.
The Lions are off to a 5-0 start to the season, showcasing their talent and depth which has many in the area considering the Lions to be the team to be in our area.
But for CCA, it’s all happening on the mound.
The Lions have posted shutouts in 4 of their 5 games and in the early stages of the season, they have a no-hitter, two one-hitters and a two-hitter.
Coach Joe Teuton said this is definitely one of the most talented teams he’s coached in his career with pitching depth that should power the team through the season.
The Lions hired coach Butch Theriot in the offseason, the former Houma Christian School head coach who is a pitching coach by trade. Theriot has come in and has worked hard to revamp the Lions’ mindset on the mound. Theriot said CCA’s pitchers are talented, but he wanted to instill a new mindset, encouraging pitchers to throw strike one and get quick outs early in at-bats.
“If we can get a hitter out, we want to do that,” Theriot said. “If it’s on the first pitch, we’ll take it.”
Theriot said the Lions are fastball heavy, but work hard on placement of that pitch, locating it on the corners in spots that are hard to hit.
It’s worked.
The Lions have pitched two-straight one-hitters and already have a no-hitter this season.
CCA has allowed just 2 runs in 5 games and have dominated.
In the team’s most recent win – a 6-0 shutout against Terrebonne, Owen Trosclair pitched a complete game shutout, striking out 11 and allowing just 1 hit. Trosclair was economical, using just 83 pitches in his outing, using 11.8 pitches per inning.
With the Lions hanging zeroes on the mound, the CCA offense is destroying the ball. The Lions have scored 57 runs in 5 games and the Terrebonne game was the first 7-inning game the team has had to play this season.
Teuton said his lineup is long with several guys who can hit for power, but also contact. The Lions also take pride in being able to execute and play small ball, when needed.
“We know it’s Sulphur of bust for us this year,” Teuton said in the preseason. “The kids know we have the talent and ability to get back there. They have been so hungry. We want to get back to that spot and finish the job we started last year.”