LEWISTON, Idaho - A lot of familiar faces return to the diamond this season as the Lewis-Clark State baseball team chases National Title number 20. The Warriors have 19 returners and return all three assistant coaches. Though they have a new head coach, he is no stranger to Warrior baseball.
 
This season the Warriors will be led by 1992 National Champion and 1993 team MVP Jake Taylor. Taylor brings with him new ideas and philosophies, and a passion for LCSC baseball.
 
"Not much has changed," senior Darren Trainor said. "Maybe a few philosophical differences, but Coach Taylor played here on one of the best teams ever to play here at LC State. Warrior baseball is pretty self-explanatory: We are going to work as hard as we can each and every day."
  
The Warriors open their 2019 campaign on Friday when they host NCAA DII Concordia Portland for a four-game set.
 
"I think everyone is super excited," Taylor said. "It's been a big buildup. We had a great fall, and we progressed into the winter with workouts and fundraising. We've been back at it for a few weeks now and I think everyone is antsy to get out on the field."
 
"It's always exciting coming up to the first game of the year," senior Tyler Burch added. "This year we have a lot of returning pitchers and a lot of seniors, guys that have already been in the program that are showing the new guys that we've brought in the Warrior Way and how we are supposed to go about our business."
 
Among the 19 returners for the Warriors is All-American honorable mention Tyler Burch. The senior pitcher compiled a 10-2 record last season on his way to being named the NAIA West Pitcher of the Year. Burch finished the season with a 2.87 ERA and led the team in innings pitched with 84.2, and in strikeouts with 79. 
 
Kyle Callahan and Riley Way also earned NAIA West recognition, and Callahan being named to the All-NAIA West Team as a utility player after batting .285 with eight doubles and 10 home runs.
 
Way earned the NAIA West Gold Glove for his stellar defense at second base. The Lewiston native led LC in assists with 118 assists and tallied a 14-game hitting streak.
 
Newcomers Dalton Duarte from Cal State Dominguez Hills, Isaac Wersland from Spokane Falls Community College, and Jacob Gribbin from Glendale Community College are just a few of the transfers that Taylor feels will have a big impact in their first season with the Warriors. 
 
Duarte hit .297 last season for the CSUDH and led NCAA DII West Region with 16 home runs. Wersland batted .326 with 12 big flies, and Gribbin finished his sophomore season at Glendale with a .384 batting average.
 
The Warriors open the season hosting two teams from the GNAC, beginning with Concordia before welcoming in Western Oregon on Feb. 8 for a four-game set.
 
They then travel to Southern California to take on No. 25 Westmont for a game before heading to No. 7 Antelope Valley for a four-game series. LC will open NAIA West play at home on Feb. 23 against Corban.
 
Season passes for the season can be purchased online by visiting lcwarriors.com. Passes and single game tickets are available at the gate during home games and in the LC Athletics ticket office. Contact Kristina Keener at 208-792-2471 for more details.