The UAPB baseball program should have an exciting season with the addition of quite a few key players, a completely new coaching staff, and a formidable schedule.
UAPB travels to Oral Roberts University to start off the 2025 season. ORU is only two years removed from playing in the college world series in Omaha and went to the NCAA tournament in 2024. UAPB continues against good competition for the next three weeks with trips to Stephen F. Austin State, Abilene Christian University, and Arkansas State. Midweeks will be just as difficult as Arkansas, Missouri, University of Central Arkansas, University Arkansas Little Rock, Eastern Illinois, Louisiana Tech, and Lamar (who won over 40 games in 2024) are on the schedule. Overall, this will be one of the most difficult schedules in UAPB history.
Key returners are leadoff man Gavin Terry, Carlos Rodriguez-Valdez, Jaylon Nauden and Ben Van Maanen. All five were key contributors offensively for the Golden Lions in 2024 and are expected to do the same in 2025. Other key returners expected to make an impact are Brant Voth, Booga DeLagarza, Darrius Brown, Jaedon Willis, and Chris Bedgood. Voth will serve as a two-way guy while Willis and Bedgood should pitch quality innings. Delagarza should help anchor the infield after an incredible showing this past summer. Darrius Brown nursed an injury last season, and assuming healthy could be the biggest surprise on the team if not the conference.
The Gold Lions are loaded with new players who are expected to play crucial roles in the team’s success. Vinny Samuel, a switch-hitting catcher, should anchor the Golden Lions behind the plate along with Matthew Dworsky. Jesus Riera should lead the middle infield at SS, and Eli Gries-Smith will be a key contributor both in the OF and at the plate.
On the mound, UAPB has a new starting rotation in Kenny Fabian, Nate Monceaux, and Brendan Hamlin. All three are expected to lead the rotation from day 1. At the back end, the Golden Lions have Cole Kenyon and Ashton Davis to close out games. Pitching was a weakness in the past but should be a major strength for the Golden Lions as Bedgood, Emerson Lott, Voth, Van Maanen, Harish Balachandran, Willis, Major Spence, and Steffan Fak will have key roles on the staff as well. Add a few players coming off injuries as well, and UAPB has a deep staff.
UAPB hopes under the new coaching staff to make the SWAC tournament for the first time in nearly a decade and the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history.