Cane Cutters News

Lafayette, La. – Cane Cutter fans can expect to see familiar faces at Fabacher Field this season as five players from the 2019 roster and two players from the 2018 roster will rejoin the team for the 2020 season, the team announced today. Returning players from last season include Tyler Thibodeaux, Champ Artigues, Zavier Moore, Trace Henry and Hunter Meche. Returning players from the 2018 roster include Trey Harrington and Tyler Booth.

Catcher Tyler Thibodeaux, from Breaux Bridge, La., returns behind the dish after a stellar 2019 campaign with the Cane Cutters saw the backstop named a Texas Collegiate League (TCL) All Star. Thibodeaux, a redshirt sophomore at Northwestern State (Natchitoches, La.) appeared in five games during the shortened 2020 season, starting three of those games at catcher. During those three appearances, Thibodeaux was a brick wall behind the plate handling all 33 defensive chances without an error.

Infielder Champ Artigues, from Hammond, La., will be back in the middle infield for the Cane Cutters. Artigues, originally a redshirt freshman from Louisiana Tech, transferred to Southeastern Louisiana University (Hammond, La.) where he hit .250 and collected 4 RBI in 16 games during Southeastern’s 2020 season before it was cut short. Prior to being at Southeastern, Artigues graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in 2018 where he was a three-time All-State selection and a member of the 2018 LBCA Composite All-State Team. As a senior, he was selected to the Louisiana High School All Star Game hitting .453, while slugging .716 with 43 hits - 19 of which went for extra bases during his senior season.

Zavier Moore, from Shreveport, La., also returns in the infield for the Cane Cutters. A 2019 TCL All Star, Moore is a junior from Southern University (Baton Rouge, La.) where he hit .245 with 8 RBI’s and was 4-for-4 in stolen bases in 14 games during the shortened 2020 collegiate season. Moore had a .925 fielding percentage and was a regular starter in the Southern Jaguars infield.

Trace Henry, another 2019 TCL All Star, returns to roam the outfield for the Cane Cutters in 2020. The Mooreville, Miss. native transferred to University of Louisiana Monroe after two successful seasons at Jones County Junior College (Ellisville, Miss.). Henry wasted no time getting acclimated to Division 1 baseball as the junior got off to a fast start hitting .321 with 12 RBI, 17 runs scored and seven stolen bases in 17 games before the season was cut short. 

Left-handed pitcher Hunter Meche, from Rayne, La., will look to be another strong arm in the Cane Cutters rotation this season. Meche, a junior at LSU Alexandria, saw action in 18 games during the 2019 season where he posted a 5.49 ERA with a 5-2 record.  Meche was poised to be a top-end starter in the Generals rotation before the 2020 season was brought to a halt.

Right-handed pitcher Trey Harrington, from Lakeland, Tenn., will take the mound this summer once again for the Cane Cutters. Harrington, a junior from Southeastern University (Hammond, La.) posted a 3.86 ERA in 4 appearances during the 2020 season while also recording 1 save with 3 strikeouts and a .167 batting average against. Harrington played a key role in the bullpen for Southeastern and was considered the “setup man” for the Lions staff.

Left-Handed pitcher Tyler Booth, from Lake Charles, La., will look to bolster the Cane Cutters pitching staff for the 2020 season. Booth, a junior at LSUE (Eunice, La.) recorded a 4.56 ERA in 47 innings pitched with 51 strikeouts and a 4-2 record during the 2019 season. Booth was a regular starter in LSUE’s rotation and will be an experienced arm on the Cane Cutters pitching staff.

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 Web site at www.canecuttersbaseball.com, or call the Cane Cutters office at (337) 451-6582.