In Shane Faucheaux’s first season back with the New Iberia Cajuns last year, the former skipper led the team to the American Legion Sub-regional Tournament and within one game of going to the state tournament.

“It was a great year last year, from not really having a Cajuns American Legion team,” said Faucheaux. “There was some summer ball but we came back and had 16-17 guys that really wanted to play.”

But there was only one minor problem.

From left, Jacob Jambon wings at a pitch as Josh Piro and Jacob Lopez watch during practice Thursday. - Lee Ball/The Daily Iberian Advertisement

“We were a little short on pitching and that prevented us from getting to our goal, which was the state tournament,” said Faucheaux. “All in all, last summer was very successful for us.

“Now the guys that are coming back know what we expect out of them and they are leading the guys that are new this year. Hopefully we can all get on the same page and play well again.

“We would like to bring home another district championship. That’s our goal at this point in time.”

The team, sponsored by Holiday Sporting Goods for the second straight year, actually opened the season last weekend with two games in DeRidder in which the Cajuns came away with two wins, 7-1 in the opener, and 7-3 in the second game.

Faucheaux liked what we saw in the two games that opened the season.

“We played a double header in DeRidder last week and we played well for it being early in the season and the fact that we had so many new guys in the mix,” said Faucheaux. “We were able to go down and get a couple of wins.

“Defensively, for the first weekend we played exceptionally well. We got some pretty good pitching and we hit the ball pretty well for it being early in the season.

“I’m pretty optimistic about this team and I think that we have a chance to make a little noise in district.”

The Cajuns continued their pre-district schedule this weekend with a double-header on Friday against H.L. Bourgeois and a single game on Saturday against Denham Springs.

New Iberia will open district play at longtime rival Franklin Tuesday.

Faucheaux likes the makeup of the team this year.

“Defensively, we have some guys coming back,” said Faucheaux. “Jacob Lopez, Jacob Perez, Thomas Latiolais, Jacob Jambon, Drew Callahan, Blayze Romero are all back.

“We have a good mix of young guys this year. We have Stefan Lopez, who is going to do well for us. Brandon Anderson is going to come back and pitch for us when he finishes up playing for LSUE in the junior college world series.

“Pitching wise, we have some returners also. Colby Landry, Callahan and Damien Babineaux, who was injured last year but is looking good this year and should be able to give us some innings on the mound. We should be able to play a full season and not worry about wearing somebody out.

“We’re pretty deep in pitching this year. That’s a luxury we haven’t had in a while.”

Defensively, the Cajuns come back loaded.

“We’ll be pretty solid,” said Faucheaux. “Stefan Lopez will play third, Jacob Lopez at short, Josh Perez at second, Thomas Latiolais at first. Jacob Jambon is also back from last year so we have all the returning infielders.

“We’re a little short on outfielders so we have to move some guys from the infield to the outfield to make that work. Blayze Romero has made the move from behind the plate to outfield and is doing a good job.”

Patrick Neustrom has wrapped up the center field position but right field is probably going to be played by committee, according to Faucheaux.

With pitching and defense accounted for, Faucheaux believes that the Cajuns offense could put some numbers on the board.

“Batting practice doesn’t mean a whole lot but if we swing the bat in the game like we’ve done in batting practice then we’re going to score some runs this year,” said Faucheaux. “We’re going to have a little bit of power this year, which we’ve been lacking in the past.”

The Cajuns will again be playing in a three team district this year with Franklin and Vermilion Parish, based out of Abbeville.

“That’s what we’re expressing to the kids right now,” said Faucheaux. “When district starts, we can’t have any hiccups. We have to go and play every game.

“All three teams are competitive and play each other so much that we know each other. You can’t mess around early and drop a couple of games and put yourself in a bind. That’s why we’re out here playing five or six games before district starts, so we can get our legs under us and be ready to go.”

One thing that won’t change for Faucheaux is how the Cajuns play and practice.

“We stress work hard in practice,” said the Cajuns coach. “You practice hard, you play hard. That’s what we ask of the guys. Give me everything you have for seven innings. That’s about two hours. So we come out and practice full speed for two hours and it gives an idea of what we expect out of them.

“The only thing we ask is to come out and represent the Cajuns in a proper manner but also play very hard. We want to play hard, win a couple of games and hopefully when July comes around we’ll be in the sub-regional tournament.”