At each home game this season, folks who have made a significant contribution to FHS Demon Baseball are throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
During the recent FHS Tournament the Demons welcomed back four former standouts.
Thursday night’s honoree was Coach Drew Brooks, a four-year player for Demon Baseball. After high school he pitched for two years at Delgado Community College before transferring to LSU where he graduated in December 2007. He became a Demon baseball assistant and pitching coach in 2008 and after 13 years he retired from coaching in 2020. He was also the Head Girls Soccer Coach for 12 years. As a Demon, Drew was named to 1st Team All-District, was a recipient of the Coach T Award and James Ard Award, and he continues to hold the record for strikeouts in a single, seven inning game --- 18 strikeouts against Bogalusa. Catching for Drew Brooks was #5 Senior Catcher Brady Smith.
On Friday night Evan ('09) and Clay Tageant ('11) (pictured in the March 15 edition of The Era-Leader) threw out the first pitch together. Both brothers played for four years and were James Ard Award recipients, All District and All State honorees and were on the Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association All Star Team. Together they have five JUCO World Series appearances, two Division 1 conference titles (LSU and USM) and two National Championships at LSU-Eunice. Both are history teachers and coaches --- Evan at Belle Chasse High School, and Clay at FHS.
Catching for Clay was #23 Junior pitcher Jacob Tullos and catching for Evan was #33 Freshman Infielder Kaedyn Jenkins.
On Saturday the Demons welcomed back Bruce Martin Jr. BJ is a 2010 FHS graduate and was a 3 year starter for the Demons. He was a First Team All-District selection, District 9 Co-MVP, named to the All-State Team, and played on the LBCA All-Star team. BJ still hold the single season record for number of at bats --- 103 and number of doubles 15.
Following high school BJ attended East Central Community College and was selected as Mississippi Infielder of the Year. He then transferred to Central Alabama Community College where in 2013 the Trojans won the Junior College Division 1 National Championship.
As a result of his play in the season and at the national tournament, BJ was chosen as Div 1 Junior College Player of the Year. He was also selected as a 1st Team Junior-College All American.
Since that time, he has been a parttime coach and conducted private hitting and fielding clinics with young baseball players. He has most recently worked with the Xavier University Gold Rush. BJ's pitch was caught by his high school catcher, Evan Tageant.
