2024 Lamar Cardinals baseball team explained

Mode:	baseball
Year:	2024
Team:	Lamar Cardinals
Conference:	Southland Conference
Short Conf:	SLC
Record:	44–15
Conf Record:	17–7
Head Coach:	Will Davis
Hc Year:	8th
Asst Coach1:	Scott Hatten
Asst Coach2:	Sean Snedeker
Asst Coach3:	Tod McDowell
Stadium:	Vincent–Beck Stadium
Champion:	Southland Conference regular season champions

The 2024 Lamar Cardinals baseball team represented Lamar University during the 2024 NCAA Division I baseball season as members of the Southland Conference. The Cardinals played their home games at Vincent–Beck Stadium and were led by eighth–year head coach Will Davis. On May 16, the team clinched at least a share of the conference regular season championship.^[1] The Cardinals moved to sole regular season champions due to a 6–10 Nicholls loss to McNeese in both teams' final regular season game on May 18. The team compiled a 44–15 overall record and were 17–7 in conference play winning the regular season championship. They qualified for the SLC tournament as the number 1 seed. The Cardinals advanced to the tournament semi–finals with a 3–2 tournament record losing their first game 3–6 to 8th seeded Incarnate Word and winning three elimination games defeating 4th seeded Northwestern State 12–5, Incarnate Word 18–6, and McNeese 18–9. Their season ended with a loss to McNeese 4–14 .

Previous season

See main article: 2023 Lamar Cardinals baseball team.

The Cardinals had a overall season record of 32–23 including a conference record of 13–11 finishing in third place in SLC play. They participated in the 2023 Southland Conference baseball tournament as the third seeded team. The Cardinals were 0–2 in the conference tournament losing to fourth seeded New Orleans 1–4 and first seeded Nicholls 0–4.

New Players

On September 26, 2023, Lamar announced the addition of eight junior college transfers joining the team for the 2024 season.^[2] On October 21, 2023, Lamar announced ten transfers from NCAA Division I programs and one player from an NCAA Division II program.^[3]

NCAA Division I Transfers
Cristian Cienfuegos	Pitcher (RHP)	Baytown, Texas	Rice
Bryce Grizzaffi	Catcher	Morgan City, Louisiana	Southeastern Louisiana
Logan Hamm	Outfielder /Pitcher (RHP)	Bridge City, Texas	Houston
Peyton Harvard	Pitcher (RHP)	Bridge City, Texas	Louisiana
Scott Jones	Outfielder	Sulphur, Louisiana	Butler
Weston Peninger	Catcher	Flower Mound, Texas	Utah Valley
Travis Phelps	Pitcher (RHP)	Alvin, Texas	Houston
Will Ripoll	Pitcher (RHP)–	New Orleans, Louisiana	Houston Christian
Austin Roccaforte	Outfielder / Infielder	Port Neches, Texas	Houston Christian
Drake Varnado	Infielder	Tomball, Texas	Arizona State
NCAA Division II Transfer
Kyle Mosley	Pitcher (LHP)	Houston, Texas	Angelo State
JUCO Transfers
Brayden Evans	1B / Outfielder	Pearland, Texas	Wharton JC
Slade Foreman	Outfielder	Bridge City, Texas	Angelina College
Colton Graham	Pitcher (RHP)	Surprise, Arizona	Glendale CC
Heladio Moreno	Outfielder	Pearland, Texas	Angelina College
Anthony Ortiz	Pitcher (RHP)	Caguas, Puerto Rico	Labette CC
Hunter Rebando	Catcher	Lampasas, Texas	Hill College
Ricky Sanchez	Infielder	Mexico City, Mexico	Barton CC
Zak Skinner	Catcher	Melbourne, Australia	Vernon College

College Top 25: April 15

Southland Conference Coaches Poll

The Southland Conference Coaches Poll was released on February 8, 2024. Lamar was picked to finish second in the Southland Conference with 106 overall votes and 1 first place vote.^[4]

Coaches poll
1	Nicholls	126 (14)
2	Lamar	106 (1)
3	New Orleans	92 (3)
4	Incarnate Word	81
5	McNeese	67
6	Texas A&M–Corpus Christi	55
7	Southeastern Louisiana	53
8	Northwestern State	42
9	Houston Christian	26

Preseason All-Southland team

Ethan Ruiz, Brooks Caple, Hunter Hesseltine, and Kanin Dodge were named to the conference preseason first team. Austin Roccaforte, River Orsak, Jacob Ellis, and Jackson Cleveland were named to the conference preseason second team.^[4]

First Team

• Edgar Alvarez* (NICH, SR, 1st Base)
• MaCrae Kendrick (NICH, SR, 2nd Base)
• Ethan Ruiz (LU, SR, 3rd Base)
• Parker Coddou* (NICH, SR, Shortstop)
• Miguel Useche (UNO, SR, Catcher)
• Rey Mendoza* (UIW, GR, Designated Hitter)9
• Mitchell Sanford* (UNO, RJR, Outfielder)
• Samuel Benjamin* (HCU, SR, Outfielder)
• Issac Williams (UNO, SR, Outfielder)
• Jacob Mayers* (NICH, SO, Starting Pitcher)
• Brooks Caple* (LU, SR, Starting Pitcher)
• Hunter Hesseltine* (LU, JR, Starting Pitcher)
• Gavin Galy* (NICH, RJR, Relief Pitcher)
• Kanin Dodge (LU, SR, Utility)

• -2023 Southland All-Conference Selection

Second Team

• Cameron Crotte (UIW, SR, 1st Base)
• Austin Roccaforte (LU, SR, 2nd Base)
• Dylan Mach (UNO, SR, 3rd Base)9
• Jake Haze* (SLU, GR, Shortstop)
• Bo Willis (NWST, SR, Catcher)
• River Orsak (LU, SR, Designated Hitter)
• Garrett Felix (NICH, SR, Outfielder)
• Cooper Hext (MCNS, SR, Outfielder)
• Christian Smith-Johnson (TAMUCC, SO, Outfielder)
• Chase Prestwich (NWST, JR, Starting Pitcher)
• Isaiah Zavala (UIW, GR, Starting Pitcher)
• Jacob Ellis (LU, SR, Starting Pitcher)
• Jackson Cleveland (LU, JR, Relief Pitcher)
• Grant Randall (UIW, SR, Utility)

• -2023 Southland All-Conference Selection

Schedule and results

Legend
	Lamar win
	Lamar loss
	Postponement/Cancelation/Suspensions
Bold	Lamar team member
	Non-Conference game
†	Make-Up Game

2024 Lamar Cardinals baseball game log
Regular season (41–13)
February (5–3) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record Mobile Baseball Tournament Feb. 16 vs. * 4–2 Havard, Peyton(1-0) Robinson, Trent(0-1) Cleveland, Jackson (1) 1,141 1–0 Feb. 17 at * Eddie Stanky Field • Mobile, AL 1–7 Carson Swilling (1-0) Caple, Brooks (0-1) None 1,052 1–1 Feb. 18 vs. North Alabama* Eddie Stanky Field • Mobile, AL 9–1 Hesseltine, Hunter (1-0) Kevin Henrich (0-1) None 856 2–1 Feb. 20 at * 5–11 Leach, Drew (1-0) Havard, Peyton (1-1) None 1,575 2–2 Sugar Land Classic Feb. 23 vs. * 8–7 (10 inn) Perez, Andres (1-0) TRAPANI, Vincent (0-1) None 212 3–2 Feb. 24 vs. * Constellation Field • Sugar Land, TX 5–0 Caple, Brooks (1-1) Reid Boyett (0-1) Neal, Austin (1) 532 4–2 Feb. 25 vs. * Constellation Field • Sugar Land, TX 5–3 Hesseltine, Hunter (2-0) Davis,Braden (0-1) Perez, Andres (1) 648 5–2 Feb. 27 at Texas A&M* 2–13 (7 inn) Weston Moss (1-0) Havard, Peyton (1-2) None 5,161 5–3
March (17–2) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record Mar 1 4–2 Ellis, Jacob (1-0) Zach Norris (2-1) Perez, Andres (2) 1,673 6–3 Mar 2 UT Arlington* Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 1–3 Caylon Dygert (1-1) Caple, Brooks (1-2) None ESPN+ 1,253 6–4 Mar 3 UT Arlington* Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 7–3 Cleveland, Jackson (1-0) Austin Wallace (0-3) None ESPN+ 1,103 7–4 Mar 6 at Stephen F. Austin* 11–4 Morse, Trhea (1-0) R. Bowyer (0-1) None ESPN+ 286 8–4 Mar 8 Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 7–3 Ellis, Jacob (2-0) Luke Johnson (0-2) Neal, Austin (2) ESPN+ 778 9–4 Mar 9 UMBC* Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 4–0 Caple, Brooks (2-2) Jayden Shertel (0-3) None ESPN+ 769 10–4 Mar 10 UMBC* Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 10–3 Cleveland, Jackson (2-0) Ben Craig (0-2) None ESPN+ 779 11–4 Mar 12 Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 9–3 Morse, Trhea (2-0) James Malone (0-1) None ESPN+ 818 12–4 Mar 15 Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 3–1 Neal, Austin (1-0) McWilliam, Owen (0-1) None ESPN+ 309 13–4 Mar 16 Pacific* Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 5–1 Jacob Ellis (3-0) Josh Souza (0-4) Perez, Andres (3) ESPN+ 14–4 Mar 16 Pacific* Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 3–0 Hesseltine, Hunter (3-0) Guardado, Jakob (0-3) Cleveland, Jackson (2) ESPN+ 15–4 Mar 19 Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 13–3 (8 inn) Moseley, Kyle (2-0) Tyson Carlton (0-2) None ESPN+ 997 16–4 Mar 23 8–1 Caple, Brooks (3-2) Willard, Nicholas (2-2) None 312 17–4 1–0 Mar 23 at Houston Christian Husky Field • Houston, TX 6–4 Ellis, Jacob (4-0) Edwards, Parker (1-4) Perez, Andres (4) 293 18–4 2–0 Mar 24 at Houston Christian Husky Field • Houston, TX 11–9 Moseley, Kyle (2-0) Hamilton, Jackson (0-1) Neal, Austin (3) ESPN+ 293 19–4 3–0 Mar 26 at * Schroeder Park • Houston, TX 4–6 Luzardo, Diego (2-0) Hamm, Logan (0-1) Murray, Justin (3) ESPN+ 1,083 19–5 Mar 28 at * 25 12–10 Phelps, Travis (1-0) Atwood, Carson (0-1) Neal, Austin (4) ESPN+ 840 20–5 Mar 29 at Oklahoma* 25 L. Dale Mitchell Baseball Park • Norman, OK 13–8 Caple, Brooks (4-2) Davis, Braden (2-2) None ESPN+ 1,296 21–5 Mar 30 at Oklahoma* 25 L. Dale Mitchell Baseball Park • Norman, OK 6–3 Ellis, Jacob (5-0) Witherspoon, Kyson (2-2) Neal, Austin (5) ESPN+ 1,790 22–5
April (12–3) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record Apr 2 Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 11–3 Cleveland, Jackson (3-0) Ryan Peterson (1-1) None ESPN+ 1,568 23–5 Battle of the Border (Rivalry) Apr 5 Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 2–4 Cameron LeJeune (4-2) Caple, Brooks (4-3) JT Moeller (1) ESPN+ 1,847 23–6 3–1 Apr 6 McNeese Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 1–0 (11 inn) Neal, Austin (2-0) Daelan Caraway (2-2) None ESPN+ 2,067 24–6 4–1 Apr 7 McNeese Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 4–3 Perez, Andres (2-0) JT Moeller (2-2) None ESPN+ 1,377 25–6 5–1 Apr 9 Stephen F. Austin* Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 7–2 Morse, Trhea (3-0) Skyler Jaco (1-4) None ESPN+ 814 26–6 Apr 12 Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 2–1 Caple, Brooks (5-3) Stuprich, Brennan (3-3) Neal, Austin (6) ESPN+ 1,607 27–6 6–1 Apr 13 Southeastern Louisiana Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 10–3 Ellis, Jacob (6-0) Bennett, Levi (1-1) Cleveland, Jackson (3) ESPN+ 1,774 28–6 7–1 Apr 14 Southeastern Louisiana Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 8–2 Hesseltine, Hunter (4-0) Polk, Lakin (4-2) None ESPN+ 1,317 29–6 8–1 Apr 19 3–6 Soliz, Cam (2-0) Neal, Austin (2-1) None ESPN+ 350 29–7 8–2 Apr 20 at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Chapman Field • Corpus Christi, TX 6–3 Ellis, Jacob (7-0) Hunsaker, Riley (4-4) Perez, Andres (5) ESPN+ 250 30–7 9–2 Apr 21 at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Chapman Field • Corpus Christi, TX 3–7 Garcia, Zach (4-0) Hesseltine, Hunter (4-1) None ESPN+ 382 30–8 9–3 Apr 22 at * Cancelled – Weather (-) Apr 24 Texas Southern* Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 20–2 Morse, Trhea (4-0) Joseph Villarreal (0-1) None ESPN+ 1,577 31–8 Apr 26 Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 11–3 Moseley, Kyle (3-0) Rodriguez, Luis (0-1) None ESPN+ 1,307 32–8 10–3 Apr 27 Incarnate Word Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 3–2 Cleveland, Jackson (4-0) Byrd, Adam (0-2) Perez, Andres (6) ESPN+ 1,011 33–8 11–3 Apr 28 Incarnate Word Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 8–2 Hesseltine, Hunter (5-1) Hargett, Hunter (2-1) None ESPN+ 1,009 34–8 12–3
May (7–5) Date Opponent Rank Site/stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Attendance Overall record SLC Record May 1 Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 6–8 Tyler Hamilton (1-4) Morse, Trhea (4-1) Davion Hickson (6) ESPN+ 1,885 34–9 May 3 Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 8–4 Caple, Brooks (6-3) Prestwich, Chase (4-5) None ESPN+ 1,493 35–9 13–3 May 4 Northwestern State Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 0–2 Newton, Aidan (2-3) Ellis, Jacob (7-1) Bunch, Caleb (3) ESPN+ 2,162 35–10 13–4 May 5 Northwestern State Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 7–1 Hesseltine, Hunter (6-1) Flowers, Dawson (2-4) Cleveland, Jackson (4) ESPN+ 1,623 36–10 14–4 May 8 at Rice* Reckling Park • Houston, TX 8–4 Peyton Havard (1-2) Tucker Alch (0-2) None ESPN+ 2,562 37–10 May 10 4–5 (11 inn) Saltaformaggio, Nico (5-4) Havard, Peyton (2-3) None ESPN+ 833 37–11 14–5 May 11 at Nicholls Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field • Thibodaux, LA 9–7 (11 inn) Neal, Austin (3-1) Rodriguez, Arturo (2-3) None ESPN+ 667 38–11 15–5 May 12 at Nicholls Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field • Thibodaux, LA 0–3 Saltaformaggio, Nico (6-4) Hesseltine, Hunter (6-2) None ESPN+ 608 38–12 15–6 May 14 Vincent–Beck Stadium • Beaumont, TX 13–3 (7 inn) Sutton, Carter (1-0) Hayden Konkler (0-2) None ESPN+ 1,760 39–12 May 16 12–3 Caple, Brooks (7-3) Mercer, Colton (6-5) None ESPN+ 495 40–12 16–6 May 16 at New Orleans Maestri Field at Privateer Park • New Orleans, LA 10–9 Cleveland, Jackson (5-0) Tyson-Long, Kyrin (1-1) Neal, Austin (7) ESPN+ 488 41–12 17–6 May 17 at New Orleans Maestri Field at Privateer Park • New Orleans, LA 8–10 Cortez Dennis (1-3) Hunter Hesseltine (6-2) Bryce Calloway (1) ESPN+ 479 41–13 17–7

National recognition

The Cardinals appeared in the top 25 in three national polls during the week of April 14. They were ranked #24 in the April 14 College Baseball nation poll.^[9] On April 15, the Cardinals were ranked #24 in the Baseball America poll.^[10] The same day, the Cardinals were ranked #25 in the Perfect Game poll.^[11] The Cardinals dropped out of both polls the following week after losing two of three games in a conference series against Texas A&M–Corpus Christi.

Conference awards and honors

Head coach Will Davis was named Southland Conference Coach of the Year. Brooks Caple was named Pitcher of the Year.

2024 All-Southland Conference team

Source:^[12]
Brooks Caple was named to the conference first team. Zak Skinner, Brayden Evans, River Orsak, Jacob Ellis, and Hunter Hesseltine were named as conference second team members. Kanin Dodge was named to the conference All–Defensive team.

First Team

• Miguel Useche (UNO, SR, Catcher)
• Edgar Alvarez (NICH, SR, 1st Base)
• Isaac Webb (TAMUCC, RJR, 2nd Base)
• TJ Salvaggio (SLU, JR, Shortstop)
• Shea Thomas (SLU, SR, 3rd Base)
• Mitchell Sanford (UNO, RJR, Outfielder)
• Samuel Benjamin (HCU, SR, Outfielder)
• Cooper Hext (MCN, SR, Outfielder)
• Dalton Beck (UIW, JR, Designaterd Hitter)
• Bryce Calloway (UNO, JR, Utility)
• Brooks Caple (LU, SR, Starting Pitcher)
• Colton Mercer (UNO, JR, Starting Pitcher)
• Brennan Stuprich (SLU, RJR, Starting Pitcher)
• Nico Saltaformaggio (NICH, SR, Relief Pitcher)

Second Team

• Zak Skinner (LU, JR, Catcher)
• Brayden Evans (LU, JR, 1st Base)
• Diego Villescas (UNO, JR, 2nd Base)
• Parker Coddou (NICH, JR, Shortstop)
• Sebastian Trinidad (TAMUCC, SR, 3rd Base)
• Reese Lipoma (NWST, JR, Outfielder)
• Basiel Williams (NICH, RSR, Outfielder)
• Cameron Caley (UIW, SR, Outfielder)
• River Orsak (LU, SR, Designaterd Hitter)
• Drake Anderson (NICH, JR, Utility)
• Matthew Watson (TAMUCC, RJR, Starting Pitcher)
• Jacob Ellis (LU, SR, Starting Pitcher)
• Hunter Hesseltine (LU, JR, Starting Pitcher)
• Caleb Bunch (NWST, JR, Relief Pitcher)

2024 All-Southland Defensive team

• Miguel Useche (UNO, JR, Catcher)
• Edgar Alvarez (NICH, SR, 1st Base)
• Dalton Hurst (UNO, JR, 2nd Base)
• Kanin Dodge (LU, SR, Shortstop)
• Rocco Gump (NWST, JR, 3rd Base)
• Cooper Hext (MCN, SR, Left Fielder)
• Conner Westenburg (MCN, JR, Center Fielder)
• Mitchell Sanford (UNO, SR, Right Fielder)
• Cameron LeJeune (MCN, RJR, Pitcher)

Weekly awards

Weekly honors!style=""

Honors	Player	Position	Date Awarded	Ref.
SLC Pitcher of the Week	Brooks Caple	RHP	February 26, 2024	^[13]
SLC Pitcher of the Week	Hunter Hesseltine	LHP	March 18, 2024	^[14]
Hitter of the Week	Zak Skinner	C	April 1, 2024	^[15]
SLC Pitcher of the Week	Jacob Ellis	LHP	April 8, 2024	^[16]
SLC Pitcher of the Week	Brooks Caple	RHP	April 15, 2024	^[17]
SLC Pitcher of the Week	Hunter Hesseltine	LHP	April 29, 2024	^[18]

Rankings

See also: 2024 NCAA Division I baseball rankings.

See also

2024 Lamar Lady Cardinals softball team

Notes and References

1. Web site: Matt Faye . Lamar baseball sweeps doubleheader, clinches conference championship . May 17, 2024 . May 16, 2024.
2. Web site: Cardinals Land Top 10 JUCO Class . Lamar University Athletics . September 26, 2023. James Dixon. January 11, 2024. en.
3. Web site: James Dixon . Lamar Bolsters Roster with Four-Year Transfers . Lamar University Athletics . January 11, 2024 . October 21, 2023.
4. Web site: Nicholls Chosen to Repeat at Southland Baseball Champions; Preseason All-Conference Team Released . James Hill. Southland Conference . February 8, 2024 . February 8, 2024.
5. Web site: DIBASEBALL.COM TOP 25 . NCAA.com . December 21, 2023.
6. Web site: Phil Stratton . Extra Bases - 2024 Team Schedules . College Baseball Insider . January 13, 2024 . September 25, 2023.
7. Web site: 2024 Baseball Schedule . Lamar University Athletics . December 21, 2023.
8. Web site: James Dixon . Baseball Releases 2024 Schedule . Lamar University Athletics . December 21, 2023 . December 18, 2023.
9. Web site: 2024 Week 9 College Baseball Top 25 . College Baseball Nation . April 15, 2024 . April 14, 2024.
10. Web site: Teddy Cahill & Peter Flaherty . College Baseball Rankings . Baseball America Enterprises . April 15, 2024 . April 15, 2024.
11. Web site: Craig Cozart & Vincent Cervino . College Top 25: April 15 . Perfect Game . April 15, 2024 . April 15, 2024.
12. Web site: James Hill . Southland Conference Announces 2024 Baseball Awards, All-Conference, and All-Defensive Teams . Southland Conference . May 25, 2024 . May 21, 2024.
13. Web site: James Hill . McNeese's Westenburg, Lamar's Caple Named Jersey Mike's Baseball Players of the Week . March 1, 2024 . February 26, 2024.
14. Web site: James Hill . SLU's Williams, Lamar's Hesseltine Named Jersey Mike's Baseball Players of the Week . May 25, 2024 . March 18, 2024.
15. Web site: Anthony Goss . Lamar's Skinner, UIW's Salinas named Jersey Mike's Southland Baseball Players of the Week . May 25, 2024 . April 1, 2024.
16. Web site: Anthony Goss . Nicholls' Felix, Lamar's Ellis named Jersey Mike's SLC Players of the Week . May 25, 2024 . April 8, 2024.
17. Web site: Olivia Draguicevich . Caple of Lamar and Beck of UIW win Jersey Mike's SLC Baseball Player of the Week Awards . May 25, 2024 . April 15, 2024.
18. Web site: Anthony Goss . NSU's Valentine, Lamar's Hesseltine named Jersey Mike's SLC Baseball Players of the Week . May 25, 2024 . April 29, 2024.