HOUSTON, Texas – The HCU baseball team kicks off the 2024 campaign hosting the Dolphins of Le Moyne College at Husky Field this Friday through Sunday for a four-game series.

The HCU offense finished second in the conference with a .441 slugging percentage and third in the SLC with 57 home runs.

Entering his third season at the helm of the Husky program, head coach Lance Berkman remarked, "I am excited to get a new season underway and I look forward to seeing what this season has in store. With veteran leadership coming back, some fresh faces that will make an immediate impact on the field, and some talented transfers that have proven they can play at this level brings a new chapter to the Husky baseball program." 

A first team preseason all-Southland Conference selection, senior Samuel Benjamin is set provide veteran leadership after leading the Huskies with 48 RBI last season. The Katy native tied for the team lead with 11 home runs and ranked second on the team with 36 runs scored, 14 doubles and 111 total bases. Benjamin finished ranked fourth in the conference with a .634 slugging percentage and a 1.060 OPS. Sophomore Dylan LaRue aims to build on a freshman season in which he batted .315 during conference play, ranking seventh in the league with 24 RBI and tied for fifth with eight doubles against SLC opponents. Also returning is sophomore Damian Ruiz who batted .263 as a freshman with nine doubles and tied for the team lead with eight stolen bases.

The Dolphins are coming off a 34-22 season at the NCAA Division II level, winning the Northeast-10 Conference with a 14-6 record. The Dolphins advanced to the the NCAA East Super Regional before losing to Southern New Hampshire. Le Moyne batted .274 as a team last season with with an .830 OPS. On the mound, the Dolphins posted a team ERA of 4.84 while holding opponents to a .261 batting average.

Friday's game is slated for a 2:00 p.m. first pitch with Saturday's doubleheader beginning at noon followed by a 2:00 p.m. start for the finale on Sunday.