The St. Mary’s Tigers have homefield advantage today at 6 o’clock as they play in the LHSAA Select Division IV quarterfinals in the East Natchitoches sports complex.

The Tigers, seeded ninth in the bracket, carry a 16-9 record into the contest against the No. 16 Central Catholic Eagles (18-15-1) from Morgan City.

Both teams upset higher-seeded opponents on the road in the regional round last week.

St. Mary’s “upset” wasn’t big on the seed line, as they beat No. 8 Vermilion Catholic – although VC was the defending state champion. Senior pitcher Trey Scarborough threw a three-hit shutout for the Tigers in a 5-0 victory in Abbeville.

Up U.S. 167 in Opelousas, Central Catholic pulled a shocker, toppling No. 1 Opelousas Catholic 5-3.

SMHS is bidding for its first state semifinal berth since the Tigers won a state championship in 2011 and reached the state finals a year earlier.

The Eagles have an impressive postseason resume this century, with 10 state semifinal berths, the last in 2024, and three state championships, the last in 2016.