HAMMOND, La. – During the Southeastern Louisiana University baseball program's run to the 2025 Southland Conference regular-season title, there was never any doubt who was headed to the mound to start a weekend series.
 
With Brennan Stuprich as the ace of the staff, Southeastern finished ninth nationally with a 3.76 staff ERA and allowed the 16^th-fewest hits per nine innings in the nation. Stuprich, for his part, was named the Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year on his way to establishing a rock-solid legacy.
 
The Lions no longer have the luxury of Stuprich fronting the weekend rotation, but they look to be just as talented in 2026.
 
"Brady St. Pierre is going to get the first shot at Friday nights after the year he had in 2025," Coach Bobby Barbier said. "He had a fantastic season, winning the Southland Conference Relief Pitcher of the Year award. Making that move from reliever to starter is very difficult, but I'm excited to see what he can do. He's been really good for us so far this spring."
 
St. Pierre finished his freshman season with a pair of wins and nine saves, logging a 3.62 ERA and averaging more than a strikeout per inning.
 
"Polk will go on Saturday," Barbier said. "He's a veteran that will throw strikes, mix pitches and compete really hard. Blake Lobell has Sundays. We like having Polk in between because he has a much different fastball than the other two guys, which should hopefully give other teams some problems."
 
With the development of consistent power at the plate, Polk could see significant time at the plate as well. He would be the Lions' first true two-way star in nearly a decade.
 
Not to be outdone, Lobell's draft stock has increased and he was recently tabbed as the Southland's top draftable player for the 2026 season by D1Baseball.
 
SLU lost little off the staff in terms of numbers, but the contributors were key. In addition to Stuprich, the Lions lost the rock-solid Aiden Vosburg out of the bullpen. With 35.2 innings and a 3.53 ERA, the veteran Vosburg was often Barbier's first call out of the bullpen.
 
But just like the rotation, Barbier feels this staff has developed into one that will more than hold its own.
 
"As a staff, I think we got better," Barbier said. "Nik Toups has developed another pitch and more command. All three of the starters have changed something about what they do for the better, or saw an uptick in velocity.
 
"Truitt Webb is back," Barbier said. "We have a dynamic freshman in Logan Freche who is such a different look from what everyone normally sees. He throws 92 mph cut fastballs. Luke Lirette did a nice job for us last year and will do the same this year. Nick Gisclair has been dominant. His slider has really improved, making him a different pitcher. Ambrose and Howell, our sinkerball guys, with tons of experience, have gotten better. Howell has developed another pitch along with improving his slider."
 
Throw into the mix right-handers Dalton Gray, Dakota Lee, Austin Minichino, Carson Robb, Brady Schmidt, Levi Shaffer, Quinn Smith, Owen Stempel, Jacob Thorn, Triston Todorowski and Patrick Vienne, along with lefties Luke Barbier, Dalton Davidson, Larson Fabre, Sawyer Simmons, Harris Waghalter and Jordan Yalowsky.
 
Southpaws Barbier and Fabre have played significant roles for the Lions in the past, as have Lee, Robb and Waghalter who have worked their way back from injuries.
 
One key role is still up for grabs and that is who will shoulder the responsibility of replacing St. Pierre when it comes to closing out games for SLU.
 
"I've never really had a closer to start the year because you never know how the game is going to affect the guys," Barbier said. "I always just let that play out. We have our three or four guys we want in high-leverage spots, but early in there, I try to cut games up. Hopefully, this first week you'll see quite a few guys."
 
UP NEXT
The defending Southland champs host the defending MAC champions, Kent State, opening weekend at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field. Games are scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. on Valentine's Day and 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15.
 
Season tickets are currently on sale through the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office. Fans can purchase tickets by calling (985) 549-5466 or stopping by the office in West Strawberry Stadium. Office hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Fridays.
 
This year, one lucky season ticket holder will be chosen to receive an autographed team jersey, an autographed centennial bat, a tour of the facility with a student-athlete of your choice and the opportunity to sit in the athletics director's seats for one game.
 
All season ticket holders will receive a calendar magnet and a concessions punch card with their purchase. Family Pack ticket holders will receive one free drink per game. The limit is one per customer and concession vouchers are valid only at Southeastern-run concession stands.
 
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 the 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.