Over the last month, the Barbe High pitching staff settled in and turned up the heat on opponents to lead the Bucs on a 15-game win streak.

During the win streak, the Bucs (21-4, 7-0 District 3-5A) moved up to No. 5 in the Non-select Division I power ratings as the pitching staff held opponents to less than one earned run a game with a strong 3:1 strike-to-ball ratio.

“Our top guys really throw strikes,” Cecchini said. “That is what they do. We don’t walk very many guys. They pound the zone. They get people out.

“We have four dominating pitchers. They know how to pitch and they are not giving up free passes. That is the key.”

The Bucs have benefited from former major league pitcher Wade LeBlanc, a star pitcher for the Bucs in the early 2000s and at Alabama. He was the 2004 Baseball American Freshman of the Year and struck out 189 batters in his senior season at Barbe in 2003. Cecchini credited him for helping transform the pitching staff.

“He is real calm and has a wealth of experience,” Cecchini said. “He is a really good teacher. He tells them the truth and tells them what they need to hear. He is a perfect fit.

“He played at Barbe, so it is so good to have him back. He has really helped them stay focused on what is important. He has taught them how to be professional.”

One of those pitchers who has benefited from LeBlanc’s tutelage is senior left-hander Jairus Miller. He leads the staff with a 7-0 record and a 0.33 ERA. He has 69 strikeouts in 42 innings with nine walks. He has struck out 11 or more in three games and had a season-high 18 strikeout game against Hardin-Jefferson out of Texas.

“He has just been tremendous,” Cecchini said. “He just figured it out. He is dominating. He is having one of the best years ever. He is one pace to have more strikeouts than anyone that has pitched at Barbe in a year, other than Wade LeBlanc.”

The Bucs’ other lefty, sophomore Lawton Littleton, has continued the success of his 8-2 freshman season. He is 5-1 with a 1.13 ERA and 54 strikeouts.

“He has gotten way better,” Cecchini said. “His only loss was to a team that has only lost one game.

“He throws harder. He is hitting 88-90 mph. His slider is better, his curveball is better. Everything has gotten better.”

Senior right-hander Dylan Turpeau transitioned from reliever early in the season to a starter and is 5-0 with a sub-one ERA. Sophomore transfer Cullen Weller recently joined the rotation and earned his first win Tuesday. He allowed one earned run in 42/3 innings with three strikeouts and one walk after relieving Littleton in the Bucs’ 8-2 win over Acadiana.

“(Turpeau) is one of the hardest workers,” Cecchini said. “He is our energy guy. He is always upbeat and encourages people. He just pounds the strike zone.

“(Weller) is great. He is one of our top four pitchers.”

The Bucs will travel to Acadiana (10-14, 3-4) today before starting their two-game home-and-home series with Sam Houston (20-5, 6-1) at 11 a.m. Saturday in Moss Bluff.