The Road to Omaha is Paved in the Fall

The Southeastern Louisiana University baseball team completed one of the most successful seasons in school history during the 2009 campaign. The Lions finished the season with a 37-22 record. The 37 wins ranks 2nd best all time behind the 1992 and 1994 squads who finished with 38 wins. Their 21 Southland Conference wins set a new school mark which helped the Lions earn the number 2 seed in the SLC tournament. That was the highest the Lions finished in the conference standings since joining the SLC in 1998.

While the Lions had much to be proud of during the 2009 season, disappointment followed on selection Monday when the NCAA Selection Committee snubbed them in favor of Big 12 members Oklahoma State and Baylor (both schools failed to qualify for the 8 team Big 12 conference tourney). As the Lions begin Fall workouts that disappointment has turned to motivation. The 2010 edition will look to remove all doubt from the selection committee by putting together a tournament resume that will put them on the “Road to Omaha”.

Coach Jay Artigues and his staff welcome back 6 key contributors. On the mound two weekend starters return in Ryan Boudreaux and Brandon Efferson, to go along with All-American closer Chris Franklin. At the plate the Lions lineup will be anchored by Cass Hargis, Josh Cryer, and Joe Sparacino.

The expectation in Hammond will be a regional berth come springtime.

Keys for the Fall:

1. Replace Brandon Street and Ty Summerlin
2. Re-build the bullpen
3. Increase stolen bases
4. Build on last season's success

(Photo taken by Helen Addison)