Rebels Repeat as State Champs

Photo courtesy of CPS Baseball
    On Saturday, May 10, Central Private Rebels met Glenbrook Academy Apaches in Minden, LA for Game 2 of the MAIS State Championship, where Central Private led the three game series 1-0, and looking for one win to clinch a back to back state title.         Thomas Doucet doubled in the top of the 2nd to score Jesse Summers and give Central Private a 1-0 lead. Glenbrook scored in the bottom of the 4th on an RBI single from their third baseman, resulting in their only run of the game. Glenbrook threatened in the bottom of 6 with runners at 1st and 2nd with no outs, where a ball was hit in the gap and Central Private's center fielder, Brandon Trahan, made a game changing play by tracking the ball down to save the run from scoring. Doucet retired the next two hitters to get the Rebels out of the inning. Going into the 7th tied at 1, Doucet led off with a single, Mason Cockerham pinch hit for Alec Martin, where he bunted and Doucet was thrown out at second. Next to the plate was Ryan Bowman, who singled, followed by Kris Tamplet, who reached base on an error in center. Brennan Albarez comes to plate hitting a double to right center field, scoring two runs. AJ Harrison walked and Trahan singled to score Tamplet. Summers singled scoring Albarez. 4 runs were scored in the Top of 7 for Central Private. Leading into the bottom of 7 with Doucet still on the mound, he retires all three batters, bringing the Rebels to their 13th State Championship and Back to Back Championship wins for Central Private, led by Head Coach Jason Kinchen, and assisted by Jami Longmire and Travis Rose.
    The players kept asking what is a Game 3? Because during Central Privates playoff run the last two years, the team was never faced with playing a game 3 of the playoffs. Our playoff run this year was led by Brandon Trahan and Thomas Doucet. During playoffs, their records were: Trahan, 3-0, with 1.79 ERA, gave up 7 earned runs in 27 innings pitched with 8 Ks. Doucet, 5-0 with 0.00 ERA, 0 earned runs in 27 innings pitched with 17 Ks and 1 walk. Head Coach Jason Kinchen said, "Both Trahan and Doucet were outstanding during our playoff run. Each pitcher showed a tremendous amount of determination and a will to win the ballgames. Doucet gave one of the most dominating pitching performances during CPS's playoff run, that I have ever witnessed, while Trahan bulldogged his way by making quality pitches and trusting his defense behind him."  Central Private's offense was led by Brennan Albarez and Kris Tamplet for the playoff rounds. Albarez batting average .556, with 15 hits, 10 RBIs, 2 doubles, 1 homerun, and scoring 7 runs. Tamplet batting average .480, with 12 hits, 6 RBIs, 1 double, scoring 8 runs. Kinchen continued, "Both Albarez and Tamplet made huge contributions to our teams offense by coming through clutch several times during the playoffs. I am glad to be getting both of these players back next season."
    Central Private's team was 9-9 at one point in the season, trying to find ways to win ballgames and struggling with the teams identity.  With mid-season moves in the line up, the teams chemistry was found and ended up the season 21-11, capturing the baseball teams 13th State Championship Title. Coach Kinchen said, "This was my most rewarding year as a coach. My players came to practice every day with the intentions to get better. The team bonded and figured out what it took to win. It was a total team effort."
    Mark your calendars for this summer’s Central Private Baseball Camp.  The camp will be held from June 16th to 19th.  Contact Coach Jason Kinchen at 931-3054 for more information.