UNO looks to take elusive next step under Dean

Blake Dean is a national championship player who has proven to be a good college baseball coach as well.

Taking over the University of New Orleans baseball program in 2016, he has produced winning seasons in seven of his eight years on the job. Last year was a high water mark for Dean and the program as his Privateers won 36 games, the most in his tenure. the Privateers had a winning record (13-11) in the Southland Conference.

UNO was very good at home in the friendly confines of Maestri Field, posting an impressive 20-6 record.

“We have a definite hold field advantage,” Dean said. “Some teams coming south are just getting out early in the season. Having an all natural surface is an advantage. We practice on it every day. It is a great surface. The win plays havoc on everyone who comes in to play here.”

The Privateers reached the final of the Southland Conference Tournament but fell short to Nicholls.

“Success is relative to where you are,” Dean said. “We’ve built the program up and up. We’re going in the right direction. If you are not taking a step forward, you are stagnant.”

While Dean has built a consistent, solid program, the goals remain to win the Southland Conference title and to return to the NCAA tournament.

The Privateers have yet to win a Southland Conference title since joining the league in 2013 and have not been to the NCAA tournament since 2008.

There are key pieces returning to lead the charge in 2024.

Junior outfielder Mitchell Sanford hit .324 with eight home runs and 60 RBI last season while senior outfield Isaac Williams returns after hitting .302 with nine home runs and 41 RBI.

Behind the plate, senior Miguel Useche (.298, 6 HR, 36 RBI) is back to handle the pitching staff.

“Isaac has been our centerfielder for a few years and Sanford is a good left-handed hitter and a good right-fielder,” Dean said. “Useche is a mature bat for our lineup. The portal hit us with losing three of our top players. It is here to stay. We have to reload every year. It is very frustrating. We lose our two middle infielders who made a total of four errors last year.”

Outfielder Victor Castillo is a left-handed hitter who came from Liberty who can help the lineup. Infielder Rowan Watt is another transfer and infielder Kai Hori is another newcomer to watch.

“We have a lot of new players and pitchers,” Dean said. “We are counting on several of them to step in, contribute and make a difference early. If we are going to be successful, that will have to occur.”

There is a mixture of experience and encouraging newcomers with potential on the mound.

Senior Tyler LeBlanc was a rotation starter last season, going 3-3 and he is back.

Senior Jack Williams started five games and went 3-1 with a 4.05 ERA last season and returns.

Sophomore Canaan Clayton appeared 19 times, recorded a save, and posted a 3.86 ERA in 2023 and senior Zeph Hoffpauir gained valuable experience a year ago in eight appearances.

Senior Caleb Seroski went 4-1 last season and Ryan Delorbe is back after going 2-0 in 16 appearances with 20 strikeouts in 21.1 innings pitched.

Junior Colton Mercer returns after starting seven games last season and sophomore Trey Usey, who made 14 appearances in 2023, is back.

Senior Connor Macip started three games last season.

“We’ve already kind of been known as an offensive program,” Dean said. “In order to win that final game, we need the arms to get there. We brought in some new pieces. We do have some who are battered and bruised. We went with one guy an inning on Friday nights a lot last year. We have to figure out the right combination.”

Nate Blasick is a West Virginia transfer who was a position player who is now a full-time pitcher who can reach mid 90’s with his fastball. Skyler Jones is another hard thrower. Bryce Calloway was a good junior college pitcher a year ago.

The Privateers hope to get off to a good start with their first 11 games in New Orleans, with 10 at Maestri Field and one at Tulane. The Privateers will host the Green Wave twice.

“Last year we played a lot of games on the road and we like playing at home,” Dean said. “We are used to the wind and elements. We are bringing in some good teams and we have a team that can compete with them.”

Notable games include traveling to South Alabama, facing Mississippi State at MGM Park in Biloxi, at Southern Miss and playing a three-game series at Florida State and a trip to Baton Rouge to face defending national champion LSU April 16.

“Scheduling is so difficult,” Dean said. “You don’t know where one team will be to the next with the transfer portal. Georgia State and Evansville are very good teams. Matt Riser will do a great job at Memphis. We know Florida State will be much better. You know what LSU and Mississippi State.”

The season opens Friday, Feb. 16 with the start of a three-game home series with Georgia State at Maestri Field.

“We are looking forward to the challenge,” Dean said.