Gulf Coast Bank 29ers heading to state American Legion tournament

The vacations are over and now it’s time to get back to work for the Gulf Coast Bank 29er American Legion team.
The 29ers (11-9), who have not played in almost two weeks, will play their first game of the American Legion State Tournament Saturday at 3:30 p.m. against Riverside Academy (23 6) based Pedal Valve at Kirsch-Rooney Stadium in New Orleans.
The state tournament consist of eight teams, including St. Landry out of Opelousas. The tournament concludes on Tuesday.
The winner of the tournament advances to the Mid-South Regional on Aug. 3 in Conway, Arkansas.
29er head coach Darin Desormeaux and his son, his starting shortstop Ty Desormeaux, have been on vacation. They are ready to get back to baseball.
“I’m looking forward to this tournament,” Desormeaux said. “There’s outstanding baseball ready to be played — played the way the game’s supposed to be.”
The state tournament will also have a different format than the regular season. Each game will be nine innings instead of seven.
That creates a challenge for teams who did not have a large pitching staff. The 29ers do not have many arms to throw.
Getting the nod on the hill Saturday will be UL-red shirt freshman Donald Comeaux. His other starter for the next game will be Brant Guidry.
Grant Dardar will pitch in relief. Others who could see action on the hill are Ty and Tristan Romero.
“We’ll have to extend starters to six innings and our closer can hopefully go three innings,” Desormeaux said. “It presents more challenges.”
Desormeaux will rely a lot on his assistant coaches Rocky Guidry and Nathan Dubois for help.
“I want to thank the American Legion and Post 29er American Legion for giving us this opportunity to go play in the state tournament,” he said.