Cane Cutters News

Lafayette, La - The Acadiana Cane Cutters announced today that Darien Dukes has been named a coach on Field Manager Ricky VanAsselberg's staff for the 2020 season. Dukes will be coaching alongside VanAsselberg a decade after they shared the same dugout together.

Dukes grew up in Shreveport,Louisiana where he attended Trinity Heights Christian Academy high school. He then attended Baptist Christian College where he won two national championships and earned his degree. He began his coaching career in 1996 and has coached high school baseball in Northwest Louisiana and East Texas for over 23 years, currently at Simsboro (La.) high school. Dukes also spent time in professional baseball working with current Cane Cutters Field Manager Ricky VanAsselberg, on the coaching staff of the Shreveport-Bossier Captains (American Association), where they won a championship in 2010. He is married to Dr. Kristi Dukes and has two children, Gavin and Breanne.

"I am very much looking forward to joining the Cane Cutters coaching staff this season as they have a great winning tradition and culture," said Dukes, "I am excited to be working with Ricky again after all these years, and I especially look forward to the opportunity of bringing a championship to Acadiana."

"Dukes brings years of coaching knowledge and experience to our ball club. I am very excited to have him on our coaching staff for the upcoming season," said VanAsselberg, "It is going to be a lot of fun working with him again after 10 years apart, and I hope we are able to pick up where we left off in regard to our coaching success together."

The Acadiana Cane Cutters open the 2020 season at home on Thursday, May 28 against the Baton Rouge Rougarou at Fabacher Field. All home games will be broadcast live on ESPN 1420 AM. For information on tickets, promotions, advertising, and other opportunities with the Cane Cutters, check out the team's website at www.canecuttersbaseball.com, or call the Cane Cutters office at (337) 451-6582.