HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball program opens fall practice Tuesday afternoon at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field, its first under head coach Bobby Barbier.
 
"It's exciting, like opening Christmas presents," Barbier said. "Being new to the program, and having a lot of newcomers, there's a clean slate for everyone. We've been able to get a feel for what each guy can do over the last month while building rapport and trust. We have a great group to work with this fall."
 
In addition to the new coaching staff, 20 of the 44 players in camp are also new to the program.
 
Returning hitters include Ethan Butler, Michael Curry, Christian Garcia, Jake Killingsworth, Dom Regira, Rhett Rosevear, TJ Salvaggio, Shea Thomas, McGwire Turner and Dane Watts.
 
Members of the pitching staff returning include Dalton Aspholm, Levi Bennett, Mason Creacy, Larson Fabre, Jimmie Johnson, Will Kinzeler, Lance Lauve, Dakota Lee, Lakin Polk, Jackson Rodriguez, Carson Robb, Hayden Robb, Brennan Stuprich and Triston Todorowski.
 
The balanced class of 20 newcomers includes six NCAA DI transfers, seven junior college transfers and seven high school student-athletes.
 
DI transfers include first baseman-outfielder Ryan Brome (Texas Tech), infielder Jake Haze (Northwestern State), first baseman-outfielder Gray Rowlett (Northwestern State), catcher-infielder Bailyn Sorensen (Northwestern State), left-handed pitcher Chance Vaught (Little Rock) and right-handed pitcher-outfielder Justin Williams (Louisiana Tech).
 
JUCO transfers include outfielder Clay Benson (Hinds CC), outfielder Parker Coley (LSU Eunice), outfielder Jude Hall (Yavapai College), catcher Conner O'Neal (Chattahoochee Valley CC), infielder Jeremy Rader (Johnson County CC), outfielder Cole Stromboe (Delgado CC) and right-handed pitcher Aiden Vosburg (LSU Eunice).
 
High school student-athletes include right-handed pitcher Chase Ambrose (Huntsville, Alabama), left-handed pitcher-outfielder Reese Dean (Denham Springs, Louisiana), right-handed pitcher Kaleb Howell (Denham Springs, Louisiana), right-handed pitcher Josh Lee (Gulfport, Mississippi), left-handed pitcher-infielder-outfielder Dom Letort, left-handed pitcher Harris Waghalter (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) and right-handed pitcher-infielder Peyton Woods (Holden, Louisiana).
 
"I'm looking for competition," Barbier said. "I want guys to compete, enjoy playing ball, be good teammates, get to know each other and all the other things that make up a team come together."
 
The first intrasquad scrimmage of the fall is slated for approximately 3 p.m. Wednesday at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field. All practice sessions are free and open to the public.
 
UP NEXT
Southeastern has a pair of exhibition games on the schedule this fall. The Lions are slated to face Samford, Oct. 29, at MGM Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. SLU also squares off against ULM, Nov. 5, at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Mississippi. Times for both games are still to be determined.
 
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.
 
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 or by visiting www.LionUp.com.
  
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Southeastern Baseball social media accounts (@LionUpBaseball) on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to stay engaged with the program.
 
The latest updates are also available at www.LionSports.net and the Lions Gameday Experience app. Available for both Android and iOS devices, the Gameday app can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.