HAMMOND, La. – Kyle Schimpf practically grew up at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, watching his older brother Ryan play college baseball for the LSU Tigers between 2007 and 2009.
 
But, as he will tell you, the junior first baseman never entertained the possibility that he'd take the field there himself.
 
He instead dreamed of competing for a school that would allow him to escape from Ryan's daunting shadow. He wanted to go somewhere he'd be immediately valued while playing on a team with some childhood friends a little closer to the Northshore.
 
Schimpf prepped under head baseball coach Mick Nunez at St. Paul's School in Covington, Louisiana, just 25 miles down the road from Hammond. Thus, he naturally set his sights on attending college at Southeastern Louisiana.
 
"I wanted to make a name for myself, and I thought the best way to do that was to be a hometown kid and win a national championship [at Southeastern] like my brother did at LSU," Schimpf said.
 
Though, he soon discovered that things don't always go as planned.
 
The Lion coaching staff actively recruited Schimpf during his high school years, but a combination of a crowded infield and other contributing factors during the 2016 season forced him to settle for committing to ULM.
 
Schimpf only started ten games and notched 12 hits during his brief stop in Monroe, so he elected to transfer to Hinds Community College for his sophomore season. He then became a key piece of the Eagles' offense, hitting .351 with a team-leading six home runs, 42 RBIs, and five stolen bases through 49 games.
 
His enhanced production gave him a wide variety of places to finish his college career, but Schimpf still chose to stay with his original plan of heading to Southeastern.
 
Before landing in Hammond, Schimpf made a conscious effort to improve his physical conditioning. He dropped nearly 10 pounds of body weight, which he replaced with solid muscle.
 
For him, being in better physical shape has unlocked a new approach to hitting the baseball – a method built on emphasizing his upper body strength and allowing it to drive his swing a little further.
 
"I think he's really just using everything he's got [as a hitter]," said junior shortstop Brennan Breaud, who played travel ball with Schimpf in high school. "He's using all of his power and obviously he has showcased that as the season's gone on."
 
After 34 games this season, Schimpf ranks among the top five Lion batters in as many offensive categories, including doubles (6), walks (17) and runs scored (19). His five home runs are second on the team behind Drew Avans, and his 33 RBIs lead the team.
 
One of his crowning moments was hitting a home run into the right-field bleachers at Alex Box Stadium in the March 4 contest against LSU, since as a collegiate, his older brother often launched homers into those same stands.
 
Another was a home run against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Biloxi's MGM Park, a Double-A baseball field that confuses and intimidates most college hitters who drop in throughout the year.
 
Yet another was clearing the bases against McNeese State with the first grand slam of his baseball career on March 31, which fueled the visiting Lions to take a pivotal Southland Conference series from the Cowboys.
 
"I wasn't trying to hit a home run whatsoever," Schimpf said. "With a 3-2 count, I just tried to put the barrel on the ball and find a way to get a runner in, but it turns out that I got four."

To garner such achievements requires a great deal of mental discipline, an area in which Schimpf readily admits to experiencing some struggles. It manifests itself as a daily uphill battle with the tendency to overanalyze minor issues as well as frustration with the occasional underwhelming day at the ballpark.
 
Although, his circuitous journey to arrive at Southeastern seemed to soothe his anxiety a bit.
 
"From the time I stepped on campus, [my coaches] told me that I had to get my mind right and prepare for the ups and downs of the season," Schimpf said. "I'm realizing that I have to just let [the little things] go and play to win. It's helped me tremendously as a baseball player."
 
The key to getting ahead of the psychological curve? For assistant coach Andrew Gipson, it's keeping Schimpf grounded in the moment and focused on his natural capabilities.
 
"[He] has a tendency, at times, to get big and try to do too much," Gipson said. "He's got a good swing and he's got power without having to create it."
 
In the long run, Schimpf's dedication to brilliance can largely be described as genetic. He turns to his older brother, a Major League journeyman currently playing with the Los Angeles Angels, for advice on hitting, fielding, or just the nuances of the game.
 
Having coached them both, Nunez understands the impact of Ryan's example on his younger brother's career.
 
"I think Ryan's success let [Kyle] know that he could accomplish what he wanted to in the game," Nunez said. "Kyle saw how hard Ryan worked, and that trickled down to him."

Most who have known Schimpf will attest that he has come a long way since his days at St. Paul's, but in many cases, he continues to be a work in progress. They are also encouraged by the sense of self-control he has developed during his first year at Southeastern.
 
"He's in excellent physical condition, and he's more mentally disciplined," said Schimpf's father, Craig. "He's never totally out of an at-bat, and he's learned how to play within Coach Riser's system."
 
Schimpf and the Lions open a Southland Conference series Friday against Nicholls at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field. First pitch for the series opener is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
TICKETS
Single game tickets for Lion home games can be purchased online at www.LionSports.net/Tickets or by contacting the athletics ticket office at (985) 549-5466. 
 
General Admission tickets are $9 for adults and $6 for children (ages 3-12). Tax is included in the price of admission. Southeastern students are admitted free with a valid university ID card.

Students, campus organizations and fans can earn points toward their Lion Up Loyalty account at any home game by checking in on the mobile app while in attendance.
 
ALUMNI REUNION
The annual reunion of Southeastern Louisiana baseball alumni is scheduled for Saturday and will be held in conjunction with Super Lion Saturday, a celebration of all things Southeastern Athletics.
 
A tailgate party on the first floor of the Strawberry Stadium parking garage is slated for 4 p.m. Food, drinks and an opportunity to sign up for the new S Club will be available at the reunion. Baseball alumni in attendance will be recognized in conjunction with the Southeastern-Colonels matchup.
 
DIAMOND CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the baseball program are encouraged to join the Diamond Club. Lion baseball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners. S Club members also gain membership in the Diamond Club.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Diamond Club and S Club (baseball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern baseball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
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