HAMMOND, La. – The defending Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana University baseball program lost a significant chunk of offensive firepower this past offseason with the graduations of Ryan Brome, Conner O'Neal and TJ Salvaggio.
 
With the trio went nearly half of the 2025 squad's record-tying home run total. The only experience the Lions return in the infield is second baseman Ben Robichaux and All-Southland utility player Giovanni Licciardi, along with redshirt Tre Brown.
 
Robichaux will once again see significant time at the keystone, while Licciardi will reprise his role as the team's Swiss army knife. Brown, a former Southeastern football player and an All-District infielder for Edna Karr in high school, lends depth and speed up the middle.
 
Meanwhile, the Southeastern coaching staff hit the portal for help anchoring the infield. The haul included Brody Capps (UT Martin), Connor Cuff (UL Lafayette), Alex Perry (Tennessee) and Blaise Priester (LSU).
 
Capps led the Skyhawks with 54 RBI and 42 runs scored. He hit .309 with 21 extra-base hits, seven of which were home runs. The right-handed hitting senior will see time at first base and in the outfield for SLU, potentially sharing time with both Peyton Woods and Rhett Centanni at each position.
 
The 6-foot-4 Cuff saw significant time the past two seasons with the Ragin' Cajuns, blasting a pair of home runs and swiping eight bags.
 
Perry gives the Lions a second 6-foot-4 infielder on the left side of the diamond, along with national championship experience at both Tennessee and Pearl River Community College.
 
"Connor has pretty much won the shortstop job," coach Bobby Barbier said. "He's been fantastic since he's been here, both offensively and defensively. Alex has been really good at third, and we've got a pair of really good young players in Brock Laird and Josh Henson. It's very beneficial for them to have these older guys they can look up to."
 
Priester, who blasted double-digit home runs during both of his seasons playing at the JUCO level, led the Texas Collegiate League this past summer in both home runs (8) and RBI (53) by a wide margin.
 
"Blaise has done a good job so far," Barbier said. "He's got big power and is older. Gavin Panks is a freshman who gives us a left-handed hitting option and does a really nice job receiving the ball. Preston Scott, whom we picked up late, has gotten a lot better since he arrived. We're excited about all three of them."
 
Jacob Keys, a transfer from who blasted 10 home runs last season at Pearl River CC, will miss the season because of an injury.
 
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.