HAMMOND, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball program's stable of outfielders was already a talented bunch, with plenty of depth, before some good news late in the fall boosted an
 
Justin Williams, a member of the 2024 Southeastern baseball squad, received an eligibility waiver from the NCAA to return to Hammond, America.
 
His previous stint as a Lion was cut short 23 games into his senior season, having hit .318 with eight home runs and 17 RBI in that stretch. In 2025, he transferred to Division II UT-Tyler, where he earned multiple All-America honors while hitting .390 with a team-leading 15 home runs and 72 RBI.
 
Williams returns to an outfield that already has a returning All-Southland Conference performer in Dane Watts and several more players who figure to see regular playing time in the corner spots.
 
"You'll see us play some matchups in at least one of the outfield spots," Coach Bobby Barbier said. "Dane will anchor centerfield for us, a returning All-Conference player who does a great job for us."
 
Mo Little, the Lions' starting third baseman last season, transitions to the outfield this season. He joins transfers Brody Capps, Rhett Centanni, Dom Jackson and Brooks Wright. Capps and Peyton Woods will both see time at first base, in the outfield and the designated hitter position.
 
Capps hit .309 with seven home runs and 54 RBI last season at UT Martin. Centanni hit .349 with seven home runs and 28 RBI last season at Delgado Community College. Jackson hit 13 home runs each of the last two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College after transferring from Xavier. Wright appeared in 45 games last season as a freshman at UL Lafayette, swiping 11 bags in 12 attempts.
 
UP NEXT
SLU will host a Fan Fest at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field this Saturday. Following a 1 p.m. intrasquad scrimmage, the Lions will sign autographs and host a kids' home run derby. Fans will also have a chance to time their base-running skills and check out their pitch speed.
 
Current season ticket holders will be able to pick up their printed tickets and the athletics ticket office will be on hand to sell new season ticket packages.
 
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.
 
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.
 
The Lions open their 2026 season with an intriguing eight-game homestand. The defending Southland champs host the defending MAC champions, Kent State, opening weekend (Feb. 13-15) at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field in a three-game series.
 
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.