Rummel, Curtis ready to renew rivalry in Sulphur

Two teams from the East Bank of Jefferson Parish will meet Thursday for the right to play for a state championship.

Both Archbishop Rummel and John Curtis Christian have played games at Mike Miley Stadium and latter program also has played at Harahan Playground.

This time around, the rivals will travel just over three hours to square off in Sulphur.

No. 2 seed John Curtis battles No. 3 seed Archbishop Rummel in the Select Division I semifinals at 2 p.m. on Field 40 at McMurry Park.

The game will air live beginning with the pre-game show at 1:45 p.m. on The Ticket 106.1 FM. Lenny Vangilder and former Major League pitcher Kirk Bullinger of CrescentCitySports.com will have the call of the game.

The Ticket 106.1 FM streams live on the station’s website, through TuneIn and via The Ticket 106.1 FM app (download on the Apple App store or Google Play).

John Curtis (28-7) is looking for its 10th state title. The Patriots won back-to-back Division I state championships in 2017 and 2018. In 2017, the Patriots defeated the Raiders 7-0 in the semifinals and in 2022, John Curtis downed Rummel two games to one in the quarterfinals.

Archbishop Rummel (25-8) won the District 9-5A championship this season, its first district title since 2006.

The Raiders swept the Patriots 3-0 and 6-1 in district play and have won the last three meetings. Prior to the three-game win streak for Rummel, John Curtis had beaten the Raiders 15 of 17 times from 2016-23.

Tulane signee Giancarlo Arencibia, who tossed a no-hitter against Curtis on March 12 in the 3-0 win, is Rummel’s scheduled starting pitcher for Thursday. LSU signee Mikey Ryan is batting .364 with three home runs, 20 RBI and 20 stolen bases while Loyola commit Ruben Ramirez is hitting .411 with a home run, 17 RBI and 30 stolen bases.

Brad Chaisson leads the Patriots at the plate, batting .351 with seven home runs and 33 RBI with 17 stolen bases. Tyler Mitchell is hitting .353 with three home runs and 23 RBI. Two-way star and two-sport star Dagan Bruno is batting .351 with a home run and 21 RBI and is a good pitcher as well for the Patriots.

John Curtis has won nine state titles and has finished second seven times, including in 2022 under current coach and former Patriot player Jeff Curtis.

“I think we are playing our best now, “Curtis said. “We have clean some things up on the mound but we have put things together at the plate. There is wear-and-tear on the arms. Overall, I think we are playing our best. We have familiarity with Sulphur from a coaching standpoint. There’s a lot of mutual respect between us and Rummel. The key is figuring out their pitching. They are so good with Arencibia and Claverie. Coleman Capaci has good stuff. They have some pitching depth. Giancarlo has beaten us and he beat Catholic in the semifinals last year. We have to take what they give us.”

Rummel has won five state titles and has finished second seven times, including in 2023. The Raiders have not won a state championship since 1997, which came under current coach and former Raider pitcher Frank Cazeaux.

“I think the experience of having played there last year helps,” Cazeaux said. “They know the city, it’s the same hotel and the same fields. It’s not like going to Disney World for the first time. They know what to expect. I like the way we’re playing right now and I like our attitude and character. I see more of a mental preparation from the players. John Curtis Christian is very athletic. We know they will play hard. They always do. They want it as bad as we do. We know what to expect from them and there is mutual respect.”

While Rummel will go with its ace Thursday, Jeff Curtis is undecided on who will go for his Patriots.

“We have three guys similar to each other so we are waiting to decide on who to start on the mound,” Curtis said. “More than anything, we have to solve Arencibia. It should be a good one.”

Cazeaux feels the same way.

“If we’re going to win, we have to get the big hit and not let opportunities slip away and we have to handle the ball and make the plays,” Cazeaux said. “It should be a good game.”

The winner will face the winner of No. 1 Catholic of Baton Rouge and No. 12 Acadiana Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in the championship game. The Bears and Wreckin’ Rams play Thursday at 2 p.m. as well on Field 41.

LHSAA Prep Baseball Semifinal Schedule for Thursday, May 9
Non-Select Division I
(13) Benton vs. (1) Barbe, 5:30 p.m. Field 41
(3) Sam Houston vs. (2) West Monroe, 5:30 p.m. Field 41

Select Division I
(12) Acadiana vs. (1) Catholic (BR), 2 p.m. Field 41
(3) Archbishop Rummel vs. (2) John Curtis Christian, 2 p.m. Field 40 (Listen live on The Ticket 106.1 FM)

Select Division II
(5) St. Thomas More vs. (2) St. Louis Catholic, 11 a.m. Field 41
(3) Vandebilt Catholic vs. (2) Teurlings Catholic, 11 a.m. Field 40