As the pride shifts its focus to the 2025 season, head coach Anthony Vincent Connor had to look back at everything the Lions baseball program accomplished in the fall of 2024.
The primary focus for the fall was to adjust the focus regarding daily operations. “We knew we had a ton of talent, and there were necessary changes to get everything out of the roster. The addition of 15 new student-athletes provided an opportunity to adjust the style of play to this new group’s strengths.”
Key areas of development centered around the positioning of fielders, a rigorous strength and conditioning program, and a retooling of the offensive mindset for our team.
The early morning workouts were good. They cemented the standard and has improved the level of discipline. The most improved area inside the program was the team’s leadership and culture, which was a major focus during the fall.
“The guys have bought into the lessons of leadership and bonded around their own voices. They have started showing real promise in setting the new standard in Lincoln University baseball. It is always refreshing to see guys working hard and pushing each other to excel in every aspect of being a student-athlete. Our team GPA, which will be announced soon, is a testament to the level of dedication they have exhibited.”
Key returners for the program are seniors Wesley Hogan (SS), Miguel Agramonte (RF), Sebastian Iguaran(C), juniors Jaden Greenidge (3B/RHP), Jalen Greenidge (Utility/RHP), Solomon Devard (LF), Jalen Randolph (RHP) Pedro Santos (LHP) and sophomore Dennis Flores (RHP). Key Additions include JUCO transfers Keith Gardener (1B), Aaron Graves (OF/LHP), transfers Kenneth Gaskins (1B), Scott Renk (1B/RHP), and freshmen Sean Stoney (SS/RHP), Ethan Craig (RHP), Isaiah Negron (RHP), and Marcellus Brown (C). The remainder of the returners and freshman class is very talented and should all see significant action early in the season. This roster provides a ton of flexibility with multiple two-way players and position players that can fill a variety of roles.
On the field, building our daily routine and focusing on the fundamental aspects of the game have paid big dividends.
Outside scrimmages with Monroe CC, CCBC Essex, and Salem CC allowed us to showcase the group’s strength, which is the depth of our hitters and our defensive improvement. The pitchers made great strides and the quality of depth in the staff gives us great hope for the 2025 season.
During the three outside competition dates, we carried a fielding percentage of .979, a batting average of .321, an ERA of 4.56, and averaged of 10.3 runs per contest. We also showed tremendous improvement in the areas of caught stealing, reduced our strikeouts per nine innings at the plate, and our rate of BB/HBP per nine innings from the mound.
In every significant area that a team could grow, we found a way and encouraged each other through the process. I am proud of this group of young men and ecstatic to watch this transformation continue. Once we open the season, all the work we have been doing privately will be on full display. Moving into the CACC South this year will provide some new challenges, and we look forward to embracing them all.