By Jason Pugh, Northwestern State Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations
NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State baseball program added 19 newcomers to its roster for the upcoming 2027 season, fourth-year head coach Chris Bertrand announced Thursday.
The group includes 10 junior-college transfers, five transfers from four-year institutions and four high school signees.
“We couldn’t be any more excited to welcome this group to campus and to continue to build the program from a roster-construction standpoint in what we feel like is an extremely positive direction,” Bertrand said. “I think (the class) hits all the marks of what it is we needed to do. We continue to discuss balance, and it’s a very balanced class when it comes to the quality of the high school players, the junior college players and what we accomplished in the transfer portal. It meets our needs from a baseball standpoint.”
The class includes 10 position players, seven pitchers and two two-way players who could see time both in the field and on the mound.
“It meets our needs from a baseball standpoint in how we were able to get left-handed hitters to continue to bolster our offense,” Bertrand said. “We got more athletic, we got a little faster and we are obviously more physical than what we have had, especially on the position-player side. We were able to acquire a tremendous amount of arm talent that (pitching coach) Dan (Hlad) has an opportunity to develop and to continue to replace what we lost from the pitching staff.”
2026 Northwestern State Baseball Newcomer Class Bios
Hunter Azemar, C, R/R, 6-0, 210, Sr., Lafayette, Louisiana (Southside HS/Texas A&M-Corpus Christi/Holmes CC)
Summer 2026: Played for the Acadiana Cane Cutters in the Texas Collegiate League.
Prior to NSU: Spent one season at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and two at Holmes Community College … homered three times and drove in 19 runs in 41 games with the Islanders … two-time All-Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference selection at Holmes … led the MACCC with 15 home runs as a sophomore, helping Holmes reach the conference tournament … drove in 57 runs and scored 52 in 54 games … batted .327 with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs as a freshman in 2024.
High School: Three-year letterman for coach Andre Boudreaux’s Sharks … earned all-state honors at DH … batted .432 with a 1.247 OPS, including six home runs, as a senior, helping Southside reach as high as No. 5 in Louisiana Class 5A … slashed .275/.408/1.006 as a junior, cracking 12 home runs … batted .300 with a home run as a sophomore as Southside went 25-10 and reached the state playoffs … honor roll student graduated with a 3.3 GPA.
Personal: Born Aug. 12, 2004 … son of Leslie and David Azemar … has a sister, Kaitlyn … majoring in business administration … hopes to become a business owner … life’s ambition is to have a healthy family.
Assistant coach Sam Taylor on Azemar: “Hunter is a physical catcher with the ability to bring some slug to the game and impact the game positively in that direction. He’s also a good catch-and-throw guy who should play some quality innings for us behind the plate.”
Peyton Beck, RHP, R/R, 6-1, 205, Jr., Ruston, Louisiana (Ruston HS/Hinds CC/LSU-Eunice)
Prior to NSU: Spent one season each at Hinds Community College and LSU-Eunice … helped pitch Hinds to the regional tournament, going 3-4 with 52 strikeouts in 46 2-3 inning pitched … posted a 1.59 ERA for LSU-Eunice in 2025, helping the Bengals win the regional tournament … named to the Dean’s List at both schools, posting a perfect 4.0 GPA.
High School: Three-year letterman for coach Zach Smith’s Bearcats … also lettered in football for coach Jerrod Baugh … named to the LHSAA Academic All-State Team … member of the Principal’s List, the Student Council, the National Honor Society and the Homecoming court … graduated with a 4.3 GPA.
Personal: Born Feb. 16, 2006 … son of Jana and Bryan Beck, the head baseball coach at Ruston High School … has two brothers, Bailey Jack and Knox … majoring in business administration … hopes to attend law school … life’s ambition is to empower others through advocacy and leadership.
Assistant coach Dylan Belanger on Beck: “Peyton is a local JUCO product from Ruston High School who has a chance to be a backend bullpen piece right away in his first year on campus. He has the ability to really spin a breaking ball across counts. He has a chance to be an impact arm out of the bullpen.”
Mason Bordelon, OF, R/R, 6-3, 215, Jr., Marksville, Louisiana (Avoyelles Public Charter HS/LSU-Eunice)
Summer 2026: Played for the Worcester Bravehearts of the Futures League.
Prior to NSU: Spent three seasons at LSU-Eunice … batted .390 with 18 home runs as a redshirt sophomore … earned NJCAA Division I Player of the Week honors on April 29 after going 7-for-11 with five home runs and 14 RBIs in a series against Delgado … came back from a shoulder injury to help the Bengals win the NJCAA Division II national title in 2025 … finished his career with a .381 batting average, 22 home runs and 81 RBIs while reaching base at a .487 clip … two-time Academic All-American graduated with a 3.5 GPA.
High School: Four-year letterman for coach Lynn Aymond’s Vikings … helped lead the Vikings to the state title game as a senior after hitting .530 to earn first-team all-state honors … earned all-district honors as a junior … graduated with a 3.5 GPA.
Personal: Born June 8, 2005 … son of Shannon and Brian Bordelon … has a sister, Mia … majoring in business administration … life’s ambition is to develop as a man, deserve to win and compete in everything while displaying selflessness.
Belanger on Bordelon: “Mason comes from a winning program at LSU-Eunice. He’s a big, strong, physical player who has a chance to win an outfield spot his first year on campus.”
Hudson Browning, C, R/R, 5-10, 205, Fr., Gonzales, Louisiana (East Ascension HS)
High School: Four-year letterman for coach Alex Gremillion’s Spartans … slashed .369/.527/.619 as a senior, with eight doubles, two triples, three home runs and 19 RBIs … helped East Ascension reach the state playoffs as a sophomore … three-year football letterman for coach Brock Matherne … helped East Ascension reach the state playoffs as a freshman … member of the National Honor Society … graduated with a 4.3 GPA.
Personal: Born Nov. 13, 2007 … son of Brandi and Chris Browning … has four sisters – Mollee, Madison, Emily and Mya – and one brother, Mason … majoring in business administration … hopes to play professional baseball or work in construction management … life’s ambition is to be a role model to those around him, have a family that he can provide for and to give back to his parents and siblings who have poured so much into him.
Bertrand on Browning: “Hudson is a big, physical catcher who comes in with a solid frame and a set of skills that you don’t normally see from those types of freshmen. We’re really excited about the potential that he’s going to bring to the offense with a presence in the batter’s box. We also have been really impressed through the summer and through the first part of the fall at how fast he’s caught onto the speed of catching.”
Cameron Carter, OF, L/L, 6-2, 190, So., Olathe, Kansas (Olathe West HS/UTRGV)
Prior to NSU: Spent two seasons at UTRGV … appeared in four games before suffering a season-ending injury in 2026 … batted .290 with three doubles, a triple and 15 RBIs as a freshman when UTRGV shared the Southland Conference regular-season title.
High School: Lettered four seasons for coaches Rick Sabbath’s and Austin Fisher’s Owls … ended his career as West’s all-time leader in hits and triples … top-rated prospect in Kansas by Prep Baseball Report … second-team all-state selection as a senior, hitting .333 with a .462 on-base percentage as the Owls won a regional title and were ranked 20th nationally … helped West win a regional title as a sophomore, earning first-team all-state honors after hitting .417 with a .516 on-base percentage … batted .280 as a freshman with a .320 on-base percentage as West won the regional championship … also lettered four years in basketball and in football … graduated with a 3.8 GPA.
Personal: Born July 5, 2005 … son of Angie and Jason Carter … has two brothers, Alex and Braden … majoring in business administration … life’s ambition is to play professional baseball.
Taylor on Carter: “Cameron was an everyday starter for UTRGV his freshman season in their (Southland) championship year (2025). He has some really quality experience he can pull from. Once he gets back fully healthy, expect him to bring some athleticism to the lineup and content for one of those outfield spots.”
Ethan Judice, RHP, R/R, 6-0, 180, Jr., Franklin, Louisiana (Hanson Memorial HS/Louisiana Tech)
Summer 2026: Pitched for the Acadiana Cane Cutters of the Texas Collegiate League.
Prior to NSU: Spent two seasons at Louisiana Tech, including a redshirt year … two-time member of the Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
High School: Four-year letterman for coach Kason Knight’s Fighting Tigers … four-year football letterman for coach Ryan Stoute … earned all-state and all-district honors in both sports … graduated with a 3.9 GPA.
Personal: Born July 7, 2005 … son of Emmy and Clint Judice … has two brothers, Noah and Hayden, and a sister, Connor … majoring in business administration … plans to work on his family’s sugarcane farm … life’s ambition is to have a family and to travel.
Belanger on Judice: “Ethan is a mid-90s arm with a power breaking ball. He’s a Louisiana Tech transfer, a Louisiana kid, who — if he can figure out how to throw a few more strikes – has a chance to be a really good backend piece.”
Jackson Killcreas, RHP, R/R, 5-11, 205, Jr., Opelika, Alabama (Opelika HS/Coastal Alabama CC/Chipola CC)
Summer 2026: Pitched for the Boca Beach Boys in the South Florida Collegiate Baseball League.
Prior to NSU: Spent one season each at Coastal Alabama Community College and Chipola College … made 12 appearances (1 start) at Coastal Alabama in 2026 … struck out eight in 5 2-3 innings as a freshman at Chipola in 2025, holding batters to an .091 batting average.
High School: Four-year letterman for coach Zach Blatt’s Bulldogs … starting center fielder and pitcher for four years … four-year football letterman for coach Erik Speakman … team captain as a senior played linebacker … member of the National Honor Society … graduated with a 3.96 GPA.
Personal: Born April 23, 2006 … son of Tiffany Rhodes and Chad Kilcreas … has a twin brother, Parker … majoring in health and exercise science … hopes to go to physical therapy school and progress to opening his own practice … life’s ambition is to leave an impact on the world and live a life that honors Jesus, and he wants to be known by his relationship with god and how he treats people rather than accolades that can be taken away.
Belanger on Killcreas: “Same thing as Judice. He’s a mid-90s arm who has a chance to come in and make a difference at the back end of the bullpen.”
Jackson Landry, 1B/OF, R/R, 6-6, 230, Jr., Donaldsonville, La. (Ascension Catholic HS/ULM)
Prior to NSU: Spent two seasons at ULM, appearing in 58 games (39 starts) … produced a career OPS of .744 … homered five times and drove in 29 runs in his two seasons as a Warhawk … four-time member of the President’s List.
High School: Five-year letterman for coach Gee Cassard’s Bulldogs … four-time all-state selection … batted .422 with six home runs and 34 RBIs as a senior and pitched to a 1.92 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 55 innings pitched … named Region 9 Hitter of the Year and the district MVP … batted .442 with eight home runs and 46 RBIs as a junior while he pitched to a 2.32 ERA, striking out 45 in 41 innings pitched for the state runner-ups … slugged 10 home runs and drove in 31 runs while batting .315 as a sophomore as the Bulldogs reached the state quarterfinals … helped Ascension Catholic reach the state quarterfinals, batting .280 with two home runs and 20 RBIs as a freshman … three-year football letterman for coach Chris Sanders … first-team all-district selection as a defensive end, wide receiver and punter as a senior when he caught 30 passes with four touchdowns and recorded 87 tackles and 9.5 sacks … averaged 39.2 yards per punt for the state semifinalists … also named second-team all-parish as a tight end and defensive end … was vice president of the Beta Club … graduated with a 4.25 GPA.
Personal: Born Oct. 3, 2005 … son of Patricia and Tony Landry … father played football and baseball at ULM and baseball at UL Lafayette … has a sister, Ava … his cousin, Todd Landry, reached Triple-A in the Milwaukee Brewers organization … had an uncle who played offensive line at LSU … majoring in business administration … hopes to play professional baseball … life’s ambition is to be as successful as he can.
Bertrand on Landry: “We’re really excited to bring in Jackson, a guy who checks a lot of boxes because of the physicality, the strength, the ability to play multiple positions. He’s a guy who brings a high level of experience from his time at ULM, and he’s somebody who has been a welcome addition to our locker room in the way he has relationships across our locker room with our current players and relationships across campus. He’s a guy we feel like was really meant to be here with us.”
Ty Lamartina, UT, R/R, 6-1, 200, Fr., Duson, Louisiana (Acadiana HS)
High School: Four-year letterman for coach Clay Coutrier’s Wreckin’ Rams … two-way standout earned first-team all-district honors as a senior after batting .336 with seven doubles, two home runs and 30 RBIs while going 8-1 on the mound with a 1.05 ERA, striking out 77 in 60 innings and posting a sub-1.00 WHIP (.938) and an opponents’ batting average of .178 … batted .330 with four home runs and drew 21 hit by pitches as a junior as Acadiana reached the state quarterfinals … batted .296 for a state semifinalist team as a sophomore … four-year football letterman for coach Matthew McCullough … graduated a 3.75 GPA.
Personal: Born April 25, 2008 … son of Carlotta and Dustin Lamartina … has two brothers, Drew and Reid … majoring in health and exercise science … hopes to play Major League Baseball and become a physical therapist … life’s ambition is to make a difference in others’ lives.
Bertrand on Lamartina: “We’re really excited about the athleticism he brings to the table and especially the competitive spirit he has. He’s a guy we’re obviously going to look to make a major contribution on the mound first. We’re also going to continue to maybe play with some two-way things, but we think he has an extremely bright future on the mound, and that he’s going to be able – with some development – contribute to our pitching staff fairly quickly.”
Brennan McTavish, OF, L/R, 6-1, 180, Jr., Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada (Vauxhall Academy/Midland College)
Summer 2026: Played for the Lethbridge Bulls of the Western Canadian Baseball League.
Prior to NSU: Spent three seasons at Midland College, including a redshirt season … helped lead the Chaparrals to the NJCAA World Series … batted .384 with nine home runs, 51 RBIs, 56 runs and seven stolen bases … was a 2025 WCBL All-Star for Lethbridge, batting .301 with six home runs and 38 RBIs.
High School: Lettered in baseball and basketball at Vauxhall… helped lead Vauxhall to a 35-6 mark as a senior, batting .341 with five home runs and 42 RBIs as a team captain … Vauxhall was the Best of the West, the PBA and the Haven Agencies champions that season … helped lead Vauxhall to the River Ridge championship twice … graduated with a 3.3 GPA.
Personal: Born Aug. 2, 2005 … son of Kim and Les McTavish … father is the baseball coach at Vauxhall Academy and a scout for the Philadelphia Phillies, who played for Washington State … has a brother, Shaye, who played college baseball at Pikeville, and a sister, Teya, who is committed to play college volleyball at Montana Tech … majoring in general studies … life’s ambition is to live each day to the fullest and play baseball for a living.
Taylor on McTavish: “He’s a Canadian kid who has had a lot of success, playing in the Junior College World Series. We’ve had success with the Canadian pipeline in the past. He’s a really smooth, long athlete who hits from the left side. He can bring some real athleticism to the lineup and can really track balls down in the outfield. He’s another one of those guys who will make a real push to contend for one of those outfield spots.”
Lane Mixon, 3B, R/R, 6-0, 200, Fr., Baton Rouge, Louisiana (University HS)
High School: Three-year letterman for coach Jon Ramsey’s Cubs … battled through an injury-plagued senior season to hit .281 with 23 RBIs … finished his prep career as a .310 hitter in the playoffs with 20 RBIs in 25 games … helped lead the Cubs to the first state championship in program history in 2024, driving in a pair of runs in the championship-game victory against St. Charles Catholic … earned all-district honors on the diamond … also lettered in football, earning all-district and honorable mention all-state honors … member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes … has a 3.8 GPA.
Personal: Born March 23, 2007 … son of Brianne and Todd Mixon … has one sister, Anna … his grandfather, Butch Mixon, struck out an SEC-record 24 batters in a game while pitching for LSU … majoring in finance … hopes to run his own company … life’s ambition is to play Major League Baseball.
Bertrand on Mixon: “Lane’s one of those guys we were really excited to bring in, because he fits the profile of us becoming more physical and more athletic. We think he brings a bit of versatility as far as the infield spots he can play. He can potentially add some positions over time because of his athleticism. He comes from a program (University High) that knows how to win, and he knows how to compete at a really high level.”
Bryson Pierce, LHP, L/L, 6-2, 180, So., Benton, Louisiana (Benton HS/Bossier Parish CC/Louisiana Tech)
Summer 2026: Pitched for the Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators in the Texas Collegiate League.
Prior to NSU: Spent one season each at Bossier Parish Community College and Louisiana Tech … earned second-team all-conference honors at BPCC while posting a 3.5 GPA … redshirted in the 2025 season at Louisiana Tech.
High School: Four-year letterman for coach Dane Peavy’s Tigers … named team’s Hitter of the Year as a senior when Benton went 31-11 and reached the state semifinals … first-team all-district outfielder and pitcher as both a sophomore and junior as Benton won district titles both seasons … honorable mention all-district pitcher as a freshman for the district champions … member of the National Honor Society … graduated with a 3.5 GPA.
Personal: Born Nov. 17, 2005 … son of Brooke and Bryan Pierce … has one brother, Bubba … majoring in business administration … hopes to become a firefighter and start a commercial lawn care company … life’s ambitions are to pitch in the big leagues and to own a high-fence deer-breeding company.
Bertrand on Pierce: “When you look at Bryson’s past, it’s obvious everyone in this part of the state agrees he has a tremendous upside. We’re going to focus on the pitching part of it. We think he can do a multitude of things from a role standpoint. He has a very fast arm. When he gets with Dan, we think he can develop some velocity and some metrics. He does have a plus change up, which addresses one of the deficiencies we have had in the past.”
Peyton Pierce, C, R/R, 5-11, 195, Jr., Sweeny, Texas (Sweeny HS/New Mexico JC)
Summer 2026: Played for the San Antonio River Monsters in the Texas Collegiate League.
Prior to NSU: Spent two seasons at New Mexico Junior College … hit seven home runs and drove in 23 runs in 45 games as a sophomore, posting a .989 fielding percentage as the Thunderbirds went 35-20 … helped NMJC post a 40-20 record and reach the Super Regionals as a freshman … named the 2025-26 Steve McCleery Male Academic Athlete of the Year … graduated with a 3.94 GPA.
High School: Four-year letterman for coaches Beau O’Hara and James Howell’s Bulldogs … two-time male Athletic MVP at Sweeny … named first-team all-state and the district and county defensive MVP as a senior after batting .435, helping the Bulldogs go 26-9, earn a top-10 ranking and win the district title … earned academic all-district and all-state honors … batted .318 as a junior, earning first-team all-county honors as well as district defensive MVP acclaim … academic all-state selection as a junior as Sweeny reached the state playoffs … batted .325 to earn first-team all-district honors as a sophomore and was a member of the academic all-district team as part of the district co-champions … second-team all-district and academic all-district pick as a freshman, helping Sweeny go 24-5-1 and win the district title … three-year football letterman … recorded 110 tackles (13 for loss) and three sacks as a senior, earning first-team all-district honors … also named academic all-district and all-state … collected 75 tackles and four sacks as a junior, earning honorable mention all-district and academic all-district honors … second-team all-district pick as a sophomore, making 35 tackles for a playoff squad … also named academic all-district as a sophomore … gradated with a 4.2 GPA and was in the top 10 percent of his class … member of the National Honor Society and a four-year member of the President’s List.
Personal: Born Sept. 1, 2005 … son of Jessalyn and Cory Pierce … has one sister, Paisley, a pro rodeo cowgirl … majoring in business administration with a finance concentration … hopes to start an insurance company … life’s ambition is to impact as many people as he can in a good way.
Belanger on Pierce: “He’s a catch-and-throw guy first. He will be a big piece behind the dish, because the guys will like to throw to him because of his ability to receive the baseball.”
Jake Smith, SS, R/R, 5-10, 180, Jr., Rosepine, Louisiana (Rosepine HS/LSU-Eunice/Louisiana Tech)
Summer 2026: Played for the Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators of the Texas Collegiate League.
Prior to NSU: Spent two seasons at Louisiana Tech and one at LSU-Eunice … batted .321 with 12 doubles, four home runs and 52 RBIs for the Bengals, who reached the NJCAA World Series … appeared in 15 games (four starts) as a redshirt freshman at Louisiana Tech in 2025 … scored the winning run in a walk-off win against Liberty that season.
High School: Two-time state champion for coach Jeff Smith’s Eagles … batted .406 as a senior, earning first-team all-state honors … earned all-state honors as a junior, helping Rosepine repeat as state champions … district MVP and all-state selection for the state champions as a sophomore when he hit .461 … ranked as the No. 4 shortstop and No. 14 overall player in Louisiana as a senior by Perfect Game … three-time all-district selection in football for coach Brad Ducote … graduated with a 3.7 GPA.
Personal: Born Jan. 24, 2004 … son of Amanda and Jeff Smith … has two sisters – Ashlynn and McKenna – and a brother, Greg … majoring in business administration … hopes to become a coach … life’s ambition is to make a good living and provide for his family.
Bertrand on Smith: “We’re really excited about the pedigree that Jake brings to the table, and we think that, in addition to baseball, he adds a tremendous level of experience and baseball IQ to the locker room. He’s the son of a baseball coach. In his time at Louisiana Tech and LSU-Eunice, he spent some time around some incredible baseball men. He’s a winner and a competitor, and he has been at two programs that teach you how to do the things we are looking for. He’s a versatile infielder, who we think can probably play all three infield spots. He’s a plus defender from a skillset standpoint.”
Paxton Smith, RHP, R/R, 6-3, 210, Jr., Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Parkview Baptist HS/South Arkansas CC)
Prior to NSU: Spent two seasons at South Arkansas CC … named All-Region Relief Pitcher of the Year after striking 37 batters in 27 innings pitched and posting a 3.62 ERA … struck out 11 in 12 innings as a freshman … went 4-3 with two saves in his career across 30 appearances … helped lead South Ark to a pair of regional championships named to the President’s List and graduated with a 3.8 GPA.
High School: One-year letterman for coach Phillip Hawke’s Eagles … named first-team all-district as a senior … twice earned Most Improved Player awards in the program … member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Pickleball Club … graduated with a 3.6 GPA.
Personal: Born May 25, 2006 … son of Sarah and Kenneth Smith … has one brother, Duncan, and one sister, Riley … majoring in finance … plans to move back to Baton Rouge and climb the ladder in wealth management after graduation … life’s ambition is to be the best version of himself with a smile on his face.
Belanger on Smith: “This is a guy that has a lot of upside on the mound. He doesn’t have a lot of mileage on his arms so far. So, like Bert said, with him spending some time with Dan, we think he’ll have a chance to make an impact immediately.”
Hendrik Vandermeer, 1B/RHP, L/R, 6-7, 235, Jr., Simcoe, Ontario, Canada (Holy Trinity Catholic HS/Kankakee CC/NOC-Tonkawa)
Summer 2026: Played for the Waynesboro Generals in the Valley League.
Prior to NSU: Spent one season each at Kankakee Community College and Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa … two-way standout at Kankakee batted .324 with seven home runs and 51 RBIs while going 3-2 with four saves in 18 appearances (1 start) on the mound … pitched to a 1.80 ERA while striking out 37 in 35 innings as Kankakee was two wins away from a NJCAA World Series berth … batted .344 with a home run and 12 RBIs in 32 games for the Mavericks … made three appearance son the mound, striking out four in 3 1-3 hitless innings.
High School: Lettered in baseball and basketball for Holy Trinity … played for the Great Lakes Canadians baseball program … graduated with a 4.0 GPA.
Personal: Born May 1, 2005 … son of Debra and Jeff Vandermeer … has one sister, Elly … majoring in computer science … hopes to become either a professional baseball player or a software designer … life’s ambition is to play professional baseball.
Bertrand on Vandermeer: “We think Hank, in our opinion, checks every single box. He’s a guy we’re going to use in a multitude of ways. He’s a left-handed-hitting first baseman who brings power and bat-to-ball skills to the table. He can use the entire field. Defensively, we’ve been really impressed with his footwork around the bag and with the level of skill and finesse he kind of plays the position. We think that he has the ability to contribute on the mound. He’s going to be a guy that we can call upon to do anything and everything the Demons need to win baseball games.”
Trae Winn, RHP, R/R, 6-2, 160, Jr., Jackson, Miss. (Ridgeland HS/East Central CC)
Prior to NSU: Spent three seasons at East Central Community College … was part of three NJCAA World Series appearances … named second-team All-Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference after going 8-2 with 75 strikeouts in 59 innings pitched … struck out a career-best eight in three different appearances … went 2-1 with 20 strikeouts in 13 2-3 innings as a freshman … named academic all-conference and graduated with a 3.5 GPA.
High School: Three-year letterman for coaches Chris Peden’s and Eddie Easley’s Titans … struck out a school-record 86 hitters as a senior, posting a 7-1 mark and 1.52 ERA in 46 innings pitched, helping Ridgeland go 28-7 and 9-0 in district … helped the Titans win a district title (9-0) and go 21-14 overall as a sophomore … selected to play in the Mississippi Diamond Crossroads All-Star Game … graduated with a 3.4 GPA.
Personal: Born July 7, 2005 … son of Daniella Knox and Claude Winn … has one brother, Brian, and a sister, Chloe … majoring in general studies … hopes to get drafted and continue playing baseball … life’s ambition is to live life to the fullest.
Belanger on Winn: “He’s a mid-90s right-hander that comes from a junior college that played in the Junior College World Series. We brought him here to be a starter.”
Peyton Watts, SS, L/R, 6-0, 180, Sr., Oxford, Alabama (Oxford HS/Georgia Gwinnett/Troy)
Summer 2026: Played for the Morehead City Marlins of the Coastal Plain League.
Prior to NSU: Spent two seasons at Troy and one at Georgia Gwinnett … named first-team NAIA Ball All-American in his lone season at Georgia Gwinnett, slashing .424/.504/.679, driving in 60 runs and stealing 20 bases as the Grizzlies reached the NAIA World Series … appeared in 87 games (72 starts) across two seasons at Troy … finished his Trojans career with 58 hits, nine doubles, two triples, five home runs and 41 RBIs while scoring 44 runs.
High School: Played three seasons for coach Wes Brooks’ Yellow Jackets … helped lead Oxford to the 2023 state championship, batting .409 with four home runs, nine triples, 24 doubles and 17 stolen bases … posted a 1.326 OPS while earning first-team all-state honors and All-County MVP acclaim … was named to the Perfect Game Showdown All-Tournament Team … also collected first-team all-region honors during his career, helping Oxford post a 100-22 overall record, three area titles, back-to-back county championships and two Perfect Game Showdown championships … Principal’s Award winner was part of the All-A honor roll and graduated with a 3.8 GPA.
Personal: Born April 22, 2004 … son of Tanya and Michael Watts … has one sister, Tinsley … majoring in spot management … hopes to play Major League Baseball … life’s ambition is to be a successful baseball player then coach the next generation of baseball players.
Taylor on Watts: “Obviously, we made it a point, looking at this incoming class, to go out and get some left-handed bats. This was an important one, especially as left-handed bats on the infield are at a premium. He brings a lot of experience of playing really high-level baseball at Troy and then at a really successful program in Georgia Gwinnett. He has the ability to be an extremely dynamic player on every side of the ball, and we expect him to play a big role for us.”
Nicholas Zeringue, LHP, L/L, 6-5, 200, Fr., Baton Rouge, Louisiana (University HS)
High School: Two-year letterman for coach Jon Ramsey’s Cubs … second-team all-district pick as a senior when he struck out 49 in 34 2-3 innings and pitched to a 2.61 ERA as the Cubs went 30-11 and reached the state title game … earned first-team all-district honors as a junior, striking out 56 in 39 2-3 innings with a 2.23 ERA as University posted a 31-11 record, reaching the state title game … member of the Chess Club, the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society … was part of the academic honor roll, the Principal’s Honor Roll and the Director’s Honor Roll … graduated with a 4.0 GPA.
Personal: Born Nov. 26, 2007 … son of Kristy and Jason Zeringue … has two brothers, Zachary and Luke, and a sister, Caroline … majoring in biology with a pre-med concentration … hopes to play professional baseball or become an orthopedic surgeon … life’s ambition is to play the game of baseball for as long as possible.
Belanger on Zeringue: “A teammate of Lane Mixon’s at U-High. Nicholas is a highly projectable, left-handed pitcher. We brought him in to fill one of our needs with the losses of our left-handed pitchers.”