LAPLACE — The No. 6 seed St. Charles Catholic Comets swing into playoffs following a tough district competition, and head coach Wayne Stein said the team is taking a “survive and advance” mentality toward each game.

The Comets’ focus is on a regional “best of 3” game one against No. 11 seed Vandebilt Catholic at 4:30 p.m. Friday in LaPlace. Game two is scheduled for noon on Saturday, and game three, if necessary, starts at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Stein said this year’s squad is one of his best all-around offensive teams in the past 14 years, adding Kaile Levantino, Nick Roberts, Nick Lorio and Jordan Jensen have shined.

Defense and focus can still be improved, Stein said.

A regional win would propel the Comets to a May 4-5 quarterfinal “best of 3” against Teurlings Catholic or Thomas Jefferson.

Riverside Academy

Rebels baseball coach Frank Cazeaux said the Rebels would rely on the tremendous leadership from seniors Jordan Loving and Jared Hymel as the team moves into playoffs.

A “best of 3” set of regional home games against No. 11 seed Episcopal starts at 4:30 p.m. Friday. The second game starts at noon on Saturday and a third game, if necessary, is set for 3 p.m. Saturday.

With similar season records, Episcopal (17-2) and No. 6 team Riverside Academy (16-12-2) appear evenly matched, and Cazeaux anticipates a battle.

If successful, the Rebels would advance to either Patrick Taylor Science/Tech or Catholic New Iberia in the quarterfinals May 4-5.

“We’ve prepared for this all year long,” Cazeaux said. “We’re going to stick to the fundamentals. Jordan Loving and Jared Hymel have carried us, and we’ll keep leaning on them.”

West St. John

Walks and errors have been the Achilles Heel of the No. 15 seed West St. John Rams, but baseball coach Greg Joseph said his boys are ready to fight in every game.

West St. John is hosting No. 18 seed Ringgold for a bi-district game today. A win would send the Rams to Lake Charles to battle against No. 2 seed Grand Lake on Monday in the regional round of playoffs.

Joseph said he’s not too familiar with either team. Instead, the Rams must take a one-game-at-a-time approach focusing on hitting and pitching. Niko Roy, Kylan Duhe, Jalen Walker and Corbert Jackson have been solid at the plate this season, and freshman Jaydon Hamilton has provided strong pitching.

The future of the program is looking up, Joseph said, with several players slated to play summer ball.