Salem, WV- Salem University Baseball is back in action this weekend for the first time in almost a year. The Tigers will have a four game home stand against Kentucky State University with two games on Saturday, and two games on Sunday. The Tigers have an exciting slate of games this year including a busy schedule next week with three perennial regional contenders in University of Charleston, Concord, and Mercyhurst. 

"This year has really taught me to be grateful at any opportunity we get to be on a baseball field. Our players and staff are looking forward to playing some of the top teams in the country. Our goal this year is to have more grit than anyone in the country, and I really believe our players have bought into that mindset "stated Head Baseball Coach J.T Heenan. 

Players to watch this year are some familiar faces in Noah Suarez (Leadoff batter, outfielder), Dominic Curole (top pitcher), Dalton Robinson (all-time Salem home runs leader), added in with professional prospect and WVU transfer Austin Earl, as well as the addition of Alan LaRoque (Catcher). Ben Mack with bullpen depth, and Jaryd Lund will also make some noise for the Tigers on the mound. 

Salem also has some Division I competition in the mix facing Akron, North Georgia, and Kent State. The leadership between veteran players and the coaching staff has been on display for the Tigers to get to this point during a covid year. 

"The leadership from the coaching Staff has been phenomenal. Coach Gaines has our pitchers prepared to fill up the zone, he's added a ton of value to our players. Coach O'Donnell , Simpson, and Ullom continue to make our players better every day with the effort and energy they bring daily. Our trainer Kyle Briggs has done an elite job keeping our players healthy and on the field during a hectic year . I am lucky to have these guys in my corner" added Coach Heenan. 


What the players are saying about opening the season: 

Dalton Robison:
"Looking forward to another opportunity to play baseball. I believe we will come off this
adversity well. I think we will come out the start of the season elite. I'm really excited to
see our guys' hard work pay off, like Rocky ( Alan LaRocque ) and Marty ( Ryan Martinez) . Our
team refuses to complain, I really think it's going to help us push through ."

Alan LaRocque:
"Nobody has complained about the everyday tasks at hand. This team is constantly getting
after it in the weight room and at practice. The team's overall grit is going to help us
flourish in the back end of games. With the guys coming back like Noah Suarez and Dalton
Robison, and new leaders coming in like Austin Earl and myself we have really focused on
building an elite environment for everyone to succeed and keep getting better . The coaches
have done a great job of constantly picking everyone up, focused on daily tasks, and getting
us ready for the season."

Austin Earl:
"No one here has had a normal 4 year college career, there have been bumps in the road for
everybody; I think that's what helps us mesh as a team so well. In a weird way I think this
(adversity) can help us throughout the season, just because it helps us appreciate the game
more. We've seen so much stuff on social media about baseball, that opening day feeling
will stick with us the whole season. I think some of the young guys like Marty ( Ryan
Martinez ), Brandon Gray, Q ( Quintin Collins ), and PB ( Peyton Brown ) have bought into what
we are trying to do. I t really helps push the older guys and build something that will last
here indefinitely . GO Tigers!"