Morgan City 12s look to continue dominant play in regionals

The Morgan City 12U All-Stars will look to continue their successful postseason run when they open play in the Louisiana Dixie Youth Majors South Regional in Ponchatoula today against West Monroe North at 3 p.m.
Morgan City, the District 3 champion, enters the regional after outscoring its opponents 29-1 at the district tournament.
Morgan City surrendered its lone run in the district championship, a 6-1 win against St. Mary Central.
The squad is led by pitchers Trent Hillen and Luke Barbier, who instead of playing on the Morgan City 11-year-old squad a year ago, played with the 12U squad that advanced to the north regional in Franklin where it was eliminated after dropping its first two games.
However, both gained experience during that run.
“These two guys definitely play on a different level than everybody else, and they well-deserved (to be) on that 12-year-old team as 11s last year,” Morgan City coach Beau Theriot said. “This year they have the experience of still pitching on that level, and I believe have an all-around better team behind them this year … (than) they did last year as far as offensive and defense and just the kids playing together and being together for so long.”
While Hillen and Barbier headline a Morgan City pitching staff that has surrendered just four hits, four walks and fanned 48 batters in four district games, Theriot said he will need his other pitchers for Morgan City to be successful in the regional.
“You can’t go as far as you really want to with just two pitchers,” he said. “The two pitchers that we have are outstanding and excellent. You don’t ever want to throw them out and hurt their arms, so yes, we will be using our other pitchers when they are needed. We’re going to use them in bigger situations and starting positions and play the game from there as far as if we need to keep them in or not keep them in.”
Morgan City’s pitching staff also includes Zack Bennett, Matthew Mire, Dylan Cornes, Gunnar Theriot and Brett Morell.
In addition to their dominance on the mound, Morgan City also has pop in its bat at the plate as four players combined to hit six home runs in the district tournament.
“Our hitting is very strong,” Theriot said. “(Our) top 12 can really put the bat on the ball no matter what speed the pitchers are. Our top nine can actually put it out the park at any time.”
Morgan City and West Monroe North will be joined in the south regional by host Ponchatoula, Ville Platte, Sabine, Harahan, Franklinton Nationals and Minden Continental.