Sports

New baseball recruits looking to fill holes on the diamond

The Grambling State University baseball team suffered big losses to their roster last year with students moving on in their career. 

Key players the Tigers lost include pitchers D’Quan Matthews and Ryan Huntington, in addition to infielders Ace Felder, Kristian Franklin and Garret Smith and others. 

The Tigers are looking to regroup this year with some of the new freshman acquired for the team. The promising young group of athletes is said to be loaded with talent this year and there are some ready to make an immediate impact. 

Freshman pitcher Mike Mims, a native of New Orleans, La. is a new recruit who is set on working his hardest this year to help his team win the SWAC conference. 

Mims wants the young team to overcome doubters who argue that “they can’t beat high level teams” and wants to prove that by beating “at least two ranked opponents.”

The freshman has set goals for himself that he believes will helps his team succeed, working to always be prepared so whenever he gets his opportunity to shine, he’ll “thrive in the moment.”

Mim’ roommates is fielder Jamison Patanapanich from El Cerrito, Calif. Patanapanich goals are similar to those of his teammates, with his eyes geared toward winning the SWAC conference and help the team play to their best abilities.

“I want to provide positive energy for the team and help any way possible for them to win,” Patanapanich stated. 

Patanapanich is training every day to ensure that he is not taking any plays off and leavving everything on the field. 

Mike Granson, a native of Houston, Texas, is another freshman looking to make an immediate impact. He wants the team to work as hard as they can each day to get better every time they step on the field. 

Granson, who aims to be the best pitcher in the rotation by working each day to perfect his craft, believes they have what it takes to prove some of the doubters wrong and compete against each and every team no matter the ranking.  

Granson said sharing positive vibes and good energy is something that he vows to spread through the team. 

With a talented crew of incoming freshmen, the Tigers are looking forward to making long runs into the postseason with hopes of winning it all.

With just a few more months of preparation, the expectations have been set high for the incoming class of ball players.