Northwestern State University of Louisiana’s baseball season will open up the 2025 season this weekend. Players and coaches alike are ready to showcase their talent and skills to bring home victories.
Chris Bertrand, head baseball coach, is confident in the team’s potential. “Our team is physically and athletically impressive,” Bertrand said. “With a year of experience in the system, we’ll play with a level of maturity and skill that will set us apart.”
Bertrand shared the importance of improvement and having a winning mentality.
“Our goal is to get better every single day. We aim to play at an elite level and win championships, but it starts with daily progress and a commitment to excellence,” he said. “The team that you see on opening day is not going to be the same team that you see at the end of the season, because we will have gotten better from day to day.”
Kevin Bostian, athletic director, has always admired the culture Bertrand and his staff built for the baseball team. “I’ve always been impressed with the community aspect that they have in this program, and it bleeds because people from the community see that and they wanna come out and be a part of it,” he said.
Bostian praised Bertrand’s coaching style. “He’s always positive like that just by nature. He makes sure that things are done in an organized fashion and makes sure that these kids do what they need to do,” he said.
Bostian added that while this mindset benefits the team for the season, it will also carry the Demons beyond the field.
“Our motto in athletics is rings, diplomas and leaders. Our goal is to have every student-athlete that walks through our doors get a chance to win a ring in the sport that they play, get a degree in the major of their choice, and then develop them as leaders for when they get out of Northwestern. Coach Bertrand is the epitome of that and what represents Northwestern State,” he said.
Reese Lipoma, a redshirt senior and a graduate student studying public health, has high hopes for the team’s potential after experienced players faced adversity together.
“Having the same guys that went through low points last year, I’m excited to see us come out stronger this year,” Lipoma said.
Lipoma’s personal goals align with the team’s aspirations. “I want to achieve specific statistics, but more importantly, I want to be a better teammate and help my team succeed,” he explained. “Winning the conference and hosting the Southland Conference tournament are big goals for us.”
Lipoma highlighted the importance of staying mentally and physically prepared. “It’s a long season, and it takes a toll on you,” he said. “We train year-round to ensure we’re ready for the challenges ahead.”
The Demons have a tough non-conference and conference season ahead of them, Lipoma explained how his mentality transfers into the game. “Staying level-headed through the ups and downs is crucial,” Lipoma said.
The Demons have been working hard in the preseason, focusing on both individual player development and team preparation. The new strength coaches have also played a key role in improving the team’s athleticism and mobility. “We hit first, do defense drills and finish with base running and conditioning,” Bertrand said.
Bertrand explained that their training is designed to slow down the game when they play.
“We make an effort to treat each moment and each detail with the utmost respect in regard to how it can make us a better player and a better team,” he said.
Bertrand added that the team’s strong chemistry and family-like atmosphere will be vital to their success.
“We have a group of guys that live a team chemistry and a family lifestyle every day,” he said. “It’s a challenging thing to do, but we take pride in our level of toughness and grit.”
Bertrand also emphasizes the importance of recruiting players who fit into the team’s culture. “We have done a remarkable job in the way that we have recruited the individual players and their families to be a part of our family,” he said. “Chemistry is always going to be the deciding factor in the success of a season.”
With Coach Bertrand’s leadership and the players’ dedication, the Demons are set to make their mark this season. NSU will open their season in a string of home games against the University of Central Arkansas Bears on Friday, Feb. 14 at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. at Brown-Stroud Field.
