The Lock Haven baseball team will open its 2025 season by traveling to Virginia State on Friday and Sunday (Feb. 7 & 9) for a four-game non-conference series.
 
The weekend series will be played in Ettrick, Virginia and will begin with a 3 p.m. doubleheader on Friday. The Haven will have Saturday off, before wrapping up the series with a doubleheader on Sunday starting at noon.
 
Coach Stover Enters Year Eight:
For Heath "Smoke" Stover, a name synonymous with Lock Haven baseball, the 2025 season will mark his eighth as the head coach of the Bald Eagles.
 
In 2025, The Haven will feature a deep roster of returning veterans, dynamic transfers and a freshman class that will have the opportunity to immediately make a difference in the lineup and in the pitching rotation.
 
Lock Haven Primer:
 
On offense, the Bald Eagles return Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Freshman of the Year Zachary McEllroy, who batted an impressive .382 (42-for-110) with an on-base-percentage of .481, leading the team in both categories.
 
Lance Baldensberger, who started 38 games last season at the top of the Bald Eagles' batting order, is set to return after hitting .293 with six doubles in 2024.
 
Jaxson Pupo and Joseph DeSiena also return after breakout campaigns in 2024.
 
On the mound, Garrett Starr returns after leading the Bald Eagles in innings pitched (53.2) and strikeouts (39) last season.
 
Matt Ligenfelter, who earned National College Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Pitcher of the Week last February, also returns and brings with him 33 career appearances.
 
Of note, the Bald Eagles are also excited about the newcomers set to join the staff, which feature a group of hard throwers that will fight to earn innings on the weekend.
 
The Road Ahead:
The Bald Eagles kick off the 2025 campaign by traveling to Virginia State (Petersburg, Va.) for a four-game non-conference series on Friday & Sunday, Feb. 7 & 9.
 
The Haven remains on the road and will visit Glenville State (Glenville, W.V.) for another four-game non-conference series on Saturday & Sunday, Feb. 22-23.
 
The Bald Eagles remain in West Virginia for their final three spring training series and will visit Fairmount State (Feb. 28-March 1), Hillsdale (March 2) and Salem (March 8-9).
 
Starting this spring, the Bald Eagles will make their return to the PSAC Western Division for the first time since 2013, after spending the previous 12 seasons competing in the Eastern Division.
 
Lock Haven returns to Pennsylvania for its final preparation before opening PSAC West play by visiting Bloomsburg (March 11) and Millersville (March 15-16).
 
The Bald Eagles make their debut-return to the PSAC Western Division with a four-game slate against Cal on Friday & Saturday March 21 & 22. The Haven visits Cal on Friday before hosting the Vulcans at Watkins Field on Saturday at 1 and 3:30 p.m.
 
To view the entire 2025 Lock Haven baseball schedule, click here.
 
PSAC Preseason Coaches' Poll (Jan. 23):
Indiana (Pa.) earned the top spot after receiving four of seven first-place votes in the West. Slippery Rock earned three top votes and Seton Hill earned one to land as the preseason second and third place teams. California (Pa.) and Gannon rounded out the top-five. Pitt-Johnstown, Clarion and Lock Haven were ranked sixth through eighth.
 
In the East, West Chester and Millersville both received three first-place votes to earn the top-two spots in the poll. East Stroudsburg earned the final two first-place votes to land at No. 3, while Shippensburg and Shepherd follow at No. 4 and No. 5. Kutztown, Bloomsburg and Mansfield round out the final three spots in the East.