Defending champion Sterlington shining in LHSAA baseball postseason

The Sterlington Panthers following their semifinal-clinching victory against South Beauregard.

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See photos of Sterlington baseball throughout the LHSAA postseason

The Sterlington Panthers following their semifinal-clinching victory against South Beauregard.

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See photos of Sterlington baseball throughout the LHSAA postseason

Sterlington and South Beauregard prior to Game 2 of the LHSAA baseball semifinals.

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See photos of Sterlington baseball throughout the LHSAA postseason

Sterlington fans during the LHSAA baseball semifinals against South Beauregard.

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See photos of Sterlington baseball throughout the LHSAA postseason

Sterlington fans during the LHSAA baseball quarterfinals against Caldwell.

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See photos of Sterlington baseball throughout the LHSAA postseason

Sterlington senior Miller Sheets.

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See photos of Sterlington baseball throughout the LHSAA postseason

Sterlington senior Tre Burch.

MONROE — Miller Sheets and Tre Burch delivered once again in their final at-bats at Panther Park.

The Sterlington High School seniors are among the major contributors in the defending LHSAA Division III nonselect champion baseball program. Sheets (Baylor signee) and Burch (Harding football signee) have been named LSWA Mr. Baseball and Football, respectively, during their prep careers.

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Their names were called upon again in Game 2 of the D-III nonselect semifinals against No. 4 South Beauregard on Saturday, May 9. Knights senior and ASU Mid-South signee Jed Henry and Sterlington junior and LSU commit Devyn Downs had a pitcher’s duel, combining for two hits, zero earned runs, nine walks and eight strikeouts.

But as South Beau turned to their bullpen, Sterlington broke through. Sheets gave the Panthers the lead with a sacrifice fly, then Burch broke up the Knights’ no-hitter with a two-run single to further fuel his team’s momentum.

Sterlington senior Tre Burch.

No. 1 Sterlington is heading back to the championship after defeating South Beau 3-0 in nine innings and completing the semifinal sweep. The two at-bats from Sheets and Burch are among the Panthers’ biggest plays this spring as they aim for back-to-back titles for the second time in program history.

“It’s a dream come true. I knew we had to work hard to get to this point,” Burch said. “I felt like (Saturday) was really a test for us, and it just showed us how far we came from the start of the year. (Going to Sulphur) is the best time of the year for us.”

“I didn’t care how I got it done. I was going to try and get that winning run in,” Sheets added. “To be able to get it in, it was pretty special. I’m going to remember that moment (for) a long time.”

Sterlington senior Miller Sheets.

Sheets has been on a tear for Sterlington (29-5) this postseason with a .500 average, two home runs, five doubles, 13 RBIs and a stolen base through six games. He hit a three-run moonshot in Game 1 against South Beau on Friday and continued making defensive gems at shortstop.

Sterlington assistant coach and MLB veteran Ben Sheets loves being a role model for his two sons and the Panthers on and off the baseball diamond. Oldest son Seaver is currently playing for ULM and has also been a major contributor to Sterlington winning championships.

"I like showing up every day and I like trying to reach the goal of the state finals," the elder Sheets said. "To be able to play on the last day of the year is pretty special. I've been here nine years, and this will be my fifth time enjoying that all with my boys, so it makes it even more special."

Sterlington coach Mark Sims said the pitcher's duel between Henry and Downs is one of the best he's seen during his coaching career. Downs, who threw a no-hitter in the regionals against Vidalia, continues to elevate his game both on the mound and at the plate (.353 average, two triples, seven RBIs this postseason).

"I just have a lot of trust in my defense," Downs said. "I believe if they put the ball in play then we're going to get the outs. Our defense has been phenomenal. Even in the regular season, we have made limited errors and everything."

The Panthers' outfielders have further stood out this postseason with diving catches and freshman Austin Hill hitting a home run in the quarterfinals against No. 9 Caldwell.

"It's the playoffs, and big-time players show up in the playoffs," Sims said. "All our seniors came through (against South Beau). Connor Justice starting the top of the ninth off getting on base (was huge). These guys are built for the moment, and they took advantage of it."

Sterlington knows the road to winning back-to-back championships is challenging. The opponent it faces in the finals, No. 2 Westlake, aims for its first LHSAA title in 30 years. The Panthers know the McMurry Park atmosphere will be even more electric as the Rams are located less than eight miles away from the facility.

The Sterlington Panthers following their semifinal-clinching victory against South Beauregard.

With success in the classroom and multiple athletics programs winning LHSAA championships this school year, players and coaches agree it's a great time to be a Sterlington Panther. They look to continue carrying the winning momentum into Sulphur.

"It's a standard here, and we all pretty much got used to the standard," Burch said. "That's how we keep doing it, and we're going to keep doing it until we can't do it anymore."

This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: How defending LHSAA baseball champion Sterlington returned to finals