After winning a state championship last season, the South Beauregard baseball team had some big shoes to fill.

It took time to see which ones fit, but the Golden Knights have recently taken steps forward, winning nine of their last 10 games.

“We’re starting to get consistent at some things and starting to get healthy,” head coach Jeremy Deville said. “Hopefully we can peak at the right time and be our best because now the best is needed.

“We had the missing pieces that we felt we could plug in and be successful, but they just weren’t consistent or they weren’t comfortable at first to become consistent at it. I think that they learned their role, and as they progressed and got comfortable.”

They look to defend their District 3-3A tournament title this week and head into the playoffs with plenty of momentum. They beat Iowa 3-2 in 10 innings to win it last season and lost 5-3 to St. Louis Catholic in the district final in 2023.

The Golden Knights (17-8) are the No. 1 seed and received a first-round bye. They will play the winner of No. 4 Lake Charles College Prep (13-15) and No. 5 Jennings (11-13) at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Jennings High School. LCCP and Jennings will play at 6:30 p.m. today, while No. 2 St. Louis (10-18) and No. 3 Westlake (20-8) will play at 4 p.m.

Deville said the district tournament is a good test right before playoffs. Iowa, South Beauregard and St. Louis have made the state tournament in Sulphur the last two years.

“Our district is always very competitive,” Deville said. “I think the teams make each other better throughout (the season). Sometimes we beat each other up, but it is what it is.”

South Beauregard lost three first-team all-state players from a year ago, including Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 3A Most Outstanding pitcher Jace Duhon, plus big hitters Layden Sepulvado and Bryce Deason.

The Knights’ pitching staff started the season dealing with injuries. Clayton Folkes suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the football season. Luke Brister has returned from an early season injury, and Deville said Folkes could be back by the time the playoffs start. Christian Wold, Jed Henry and Luke Fontenot have pitched the bulk of the innings. The pitching staff has allowed six earned runs in the last six games.

“I wouldn’t say they don’t strike everybody out,” Deville said, “they just get up there and pound the strike zone.

“They’re just competitors. They’re kids that like the ball. They like to compete. They trust the guys behind them.”

The Knights lost three of the first four hitters in the lineup to graduation but have made the right adjustments. Henry moved to the leadoff spot and senior Kade Jackson is hitting in the two hole. Both are batting over .400 with the Knights averaging seven runs a game.

“The big three aren’t back, but those five or six are,” Deville said. “We are creating pressure.”

Tournament • At Jennings HS

Today

Game 1 — No. 2 St. Louis Catholic vs. No. 3 Westlake, 4 p.m.

Game 2 — No. 4 Lake Charles College Prep vs. No. 5 Jennings, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday

Game 3 — No. 1 South Beauregard vs. No. 4 LCCP/No. 5 Jennings winner, 6 p.m.

Thursday

Game 4 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 4 p.m.

Game 6 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 6:30 p.m.