By: Candice Dixson, Sports Information Staff
GRAMBLING, La. l This fall the Grambling State University baseball team, who finished second in the Western division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), have been working on getting bigger, faster and stronger in the weight room. "We've also been recording our pitchers throwing in bullpens, recording our hitters taking their swings, and daily defensive routines," said Grambling State baseball head coach
James Cooper. "We (myself and the coaching staff) believe that those three will help keep us at the top of the conference, and also give us a good shot to go out there and win games."
Cooper is excited about the group that he has, more so for the reason his team is looking pitching-wise, and also the feedback his players receive when they're able to watch and view themselves. "It's kind of taken for granted, in baseball, our sport does not record as much as basketball and football, so I think the responses each player receives from the questions they ask are going to help us out a lot."
The status of the team…
NEW RECRUITS
Ten freshmen players have been added to Coach Cooper's roster- Terry Tolliver (OF, Parkview Baptist HS), Michael Mims (Util., St. Augustine HS), Michael Granson Jr. (RHP, Fort Bend Elkins HS), Jamison Patanapanich (LHP, El Cerrito HS), DeAngelo Fleetwood (OF, El Cerrito HS), Brandon Tyler (RHP, Thronwood HS), Ben Avila (C, The Harvey School), Kevin Breaux (C, East St. John HS), Cameron Bufford (INF, Marian Catholic HS) and Trey Williams (INF, East Ascension HS).
JUCO PRODUCTS
Nine junior college players have joined the Grambling State baseball team- Jeremy Alamguer (INF, Central Alabama CC), Nehemiah Wright (OF, Harford CC), Miguel Medina (INF, ASA College), Mikey Hernandez (INF, Compton CC), Marc Luna (LHP, Odessa CC), Corben Peters (RHP, Cloud CC), Darius Barton (INF, Harford CC), Ry Clark (C, City College of San Francisco) and Jordyn Smith (INF, Harford).
VETERAN PLAYERS
Eight returners who started in the 2019 SWAC Baseball Tournament will suit up again-
Warren Laster (OF), Chrystian Mervilus (INF),
Ian Bailey (OF),
Jahmoi Percival (INF),
Jason Alvarez (RHP), Kerry Boykins (INF),
Rafael Ramirez, III (INF) and
Bryan Delgado (LHP). Three key bullpen relievers that are returning are
Kaelin Woodard,
JC Bonilla and
Grant Landry.
PITCHING
Cooper believes with Friday night guy
Bryan Delgado and
Jason Alvarez (Saturday starter) being back in the rotation will help set the Tigers up to have a chance to win every series every weekend. Also pitching will be juco transfers Mark Luna (LHP) and Corben Peters (RHP). Freshmen pitchers Michael Mims (Util.), Jamison Patanapanich (LHP), Brandon Tyler (RHP), Michael Granson Jr. (RHP), and returners
Kaelin Woodard,
JC Bonilla (RHP),
Grant Landry and Kerry Boykins Jr. (RHP).
FIELDING
Shortstops- Chrystian Mervilus and Miguel Medina
First Base- Jordan Smith, Rafael Ramirez III, and Michael Mims
Second Base- Jeremy Almaguer and Mikey Hernandez
Third Base- Chrystian Mervilus,
Michael Sookdeo, Darius Barton and
Jake Lane
Catchers- Ryan Clark & Ben Avila
Center field-
Warren Laster, Nehemiah Wright and Terry Toliver
Outfield-
Jahmoi Percival,
Ian Bailey,
Phil Adams Jr., and
Warren Laster. Newcomers Nehemiah Wright, Terry Tolliver, DeAngelo Fleetwood
WHAT'S NEXT
Grambling State's full initial scrimmage will be on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. and Friday, Oct. 4 at 1 p.m. at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park.
Follow Grambling State Athletics
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /gramblingstateathletics (Facebook) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.
