LSUE defense led by talented infield

Coaches say that offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.
Defense should be one of the strengths of the 2016 LSU Eunice infield, but their offense isn’t bad either.
“We have the ability to do well on defense,” LSU Eunice head coach Jeff Willis said. “We have the talent in the infield.
“If our pitchers throw strikes and we field the ball well, we will be in every ball game.”
LSU signee Nick Coomes (Catholic-Baton Rouge) will anchor third base.
Coomes hit .299 last season with 15 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 39 RBI along with 21 walks.
Janson Bourque (Teurlings Catholic) is expected to play well at second, while Bourque hit .298 with three doubles, 17 RBI and 11 walks as well as eight stolen bases.
“Janson has a tremendous amount talent,” Willis said. “He had one of the better fall seasons for us and has really taken a step forward.
“We expect him to be a leader on our team,” the coach said.
According to Willis, there are three players battling for the starting shortstop position with freshmen Michael Claverie (Live Oak), Bo Myers (Zachary) and Koi Westbrook (Carencro).
“We need one of them separate himself from the group,” the coach said. “All three are very talented, one just needs to step forward.”
Hayden Mixon (Catholic - Baton Rouge), Turner Francis (Minden) and Will Watson (Neville) could see time at first base.
Watson hit .476 last season with three doubles, 13 RBI and nine stolen bases.
“We will miss last year’s shortstop Brennan Boeman,” Willis said. “He was the only shortstop at any level last year who only had four errors.
“He had the highest fielding percentage (.984) at any collegiate level in the entire country.”
LSUE opens the season at home 6 p.m. Friday against North Lake.