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Last season the Cougars used a strong pitching staff, stingy defense, and a potent line up to power their way to a District 13 championship.

This year, despite losing four key cogs in the machine, is shaping up to be more of the same.

“I think as far as our district goes, we’ve got a really good chance at winning it again and getting into the region tournament and doing a little better than we did last year,” LCHS head coach Ethan Meguiar said.

Headed by Dustin Nash, the pitching staff that ranked as one of the region’s best, will be back at it again this season. Losing Lawton Jackson hurt, but losing their long time pitching coach in Mike Hoots hurts just as much as losing a full time starter.

“It was a big loss to lose coach Mike Hoots cause all the kids loved him and will miss him,” coach Meguiar said.

With Nash leading the way, Ian Miller and Dustin Cartas are set to provide a good one-two punch.

“I like our pitching staff this year, we got a good mix,” coach Meguiar said.

Behind the pitching staff sits one of the region’s best defense returning almost completely intact. This defense would flat out smother opposing offenses’ day in and day out. The middle infield looks to be manned by the Harper brothers in Matt and older brother Ryan. With as much depth at the corner positions as the Cougars have, team’s will have to try and get the ball out of the infield if they hope to get on base.

But waiting in that vast outfield are athlete’s lurking waiting to cut down runners who get to confident. With Brice Moore, Ryan Steenbergen, and Brandon Sowell returning from last year’s outfield corps the outfield seems more than capable to help the Cougars defend their district title.

The deck seems stacked in Logan County’s favor to get back to the district title game and into the region tournament.

“That’s always my goals is to win the district,” coach Meguiar said. “Not out of the question to compete in the Region, I’d be disappointed if we don’t.”

Looking around the district, Todd County is in complete rebuild mode and Franklin-Simpson will be breaking in a ton of new starters this season, but the coaching staff is quick not to over look the Wildcats.

“I think Franklin-Simpson will be better than a lot of people think,” coach Meguiar said.

Cross town rivals Russellville looks to be the real competition for the Cougars this year as they prepare for the season.

But the Cougars welcome the challenge and relish the opportunity to compete against their rivals in what could be a battle to the finish line for the district title.

“I’m really looking forward to this year, I think we’ve got a really good team this year,” coach Meguiar said. “We’ve had some good days of practice, we’ve been out more than usual.”

The season kicks off Thursday, weather permitting, at Region 4 powerhouse Warren East at 5 p.m.

Read more: News Democrat Leader - Cougars look to repeat as District 13 champions

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