LAKE CHARLES – The defending SLC Tournament champion McNeese Cowboys will run onto the field at Joe Miller Ballpark Friday afternoon for their first official team practice of the 2020 baseball year. With just under a month to go before the season kicks off on Feb. 14 against Mississippi Valley State, the baseball team will showcase some of its returning stars and several new faces.
 
Head Coach Justin Hill discussed how the team is coming together for the upcoming season.
 
"It's been a challenge to get out on the field with the recent weather," said Coach Hill. "We are fortunate to have good indoor facilities so that we can train no matter the conditions, but I'm glad it will be clearer this weekend so the guys can get out on the field.
 
"I'm looking forward to seeing the guys in a competitive setting  and to see all the improvements they've made over the fall."
 
When asked about some of the key players returning for the Cowboys, Hill stated,
 
"I'm happy for Nate (Fisbeck) and the recognition he received as a Preseason All-American. He is such a pro in how he goes about his business, and he's a great example for the young guys to follow"
 
In 2019, Fisbeck played and started in all 61 games at second base for the Cowboys after missing the entire 2018 season with an injury. He finished the year with a new career high in batting average with .304 and led the Cowboys in nearly every offensive category including the most at-bats (257), runs (53), hits (78), doubles (21), home runs (12), RBI's (50), and the highest slugging percentage with .541.
 
"Will (Dion) has put in a lot of work to improve on his Freshman year. He certainly has the chance to build on his previous success and be a leader on this staff going forward."
 
Last year Dion was arguably the most dominate arm coming out of the bullpen for the Cowboys, posting a stellar 5-0 record and 1.98 ERA. He pitched a total of 50 innings on the year and appeared in a team high 29 games, struck out 62 batters, and held opposing batters to a mere .155 batting average.
 
Coach Hill has also announced that the upcoming season's game times will be a little different this year compared to last.
 
In recent years, the Cowboys played three-game home series' at 6 p.m. on Friday, 3 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 p.m. on Sunday, but this season the Cowboys will switch it up a bit. 
 
The Friday and Sunday games will both still be at 6 p.m. and 1 p.m., but the Saturday games will now be moved back to 6 p.m. as to try and utilize the Cowboys night-game atmosphere in Joe Miller Ballpark to its advantage.
 
These new game times will take effect on the Cowboys first home series following their two tournaments, the Mardi Gras Tournament and Lake Area Classic, against ULM on March 6-8.