By Tom Halliburton
The Port Arthur News

BEAUMONT -- If you're a science fiction scaredy cat and fear of the unknown bothers your intellect, be careful with this 2008 Lamar baseball program.

It's filled with unknowns all over Vincent-Beck Stadium's brand-new magic carpet. An all-weather synthetic Olympia turf was completed just in time for this month's pre-season workouts... even it contains a bit of an unknown element.

Yet if Jim Gilligan thought his team would hold up as well as his new playing surface, the 31st-year Lamar head baseball coach probably would take his chances. With a new glitzy playing surface, and new bird logos everywhere, these Lamar players have to be good. Right? And since their rival coaches picked LU to retain the Southland Conference East Division regular-season title, the Redbirds have to be good, too. Right?

With all of that going for them, the Cardinals are bound to be familiar to Gilligan. Right?....Uhhh, well... maybe in a few weeks... maybe a little better after this weekend's season-opening tournament at Texas-Pan American in Edinburg.

Orientation time starts Friday with the opener of a 55-game regular season for several rookie pitchers, a mostly rookie infield and outfield. And yet these LUmen are supposed to win right away.

"They picked us to win it," Gilligan mused last week. "What do you think of that?"

Nearing his 1,100th career win as a head coach (1,035-647), the NCAA's 35th all-time winningest college baseball coach knows a thing or two about winning... just not with this group of players yet.

"I think we can hit, field and throw," Gilligan summarized. "A lot of it comes down to how well we can compete. I think we're on track and I think this team will get progressively better... But I really thought we would be rated a lot lower."

There has to be a starting point and Lamar realistically has to feel the loss to the pros of such players as Collin DeLome, Michael Ambort, Dan Hernandez, Ryan Baker, Allen Harrington and Erik Kanaby. Those amounted to the best players at their positions which Lamar has had in any era.

Lamar has replaced proven talent with unproven talent in several spots, that's all there is to it. The adjustment to winning at the NCAA Division 1 level requires more time for some players than others. Only time will tell if the starting rotation of Brian Sisk, Justin Walker and Brian Needham will flourish. Combined with outstanding lefthanded closer Tim Erickson, Lamar has four pitchers with good skill who have put in the time. Another good lefty, Houston Baptist transfer Jay Prigmore, sounds as if he belongs right with them.

"I feel confident in our starting pitching," the LU boss said. "It's a matter of who's coming out of the bullpen. The key is how we use Erickson. Right now, we can't afford to take him out of the bullpen. But I think the staff will have more depth than we had last year."

A large handful of other key arms can go a long way toward making this a successful pitching staff, too. They include Matt Morgal, Matison Smith, Ricky Testa, Jim Niesuchouski, Ryne Nelson, Steven Havard, Matt Gore, Brad Depoy, and John Ross Ramirez. Some of those names may become more valuable as starters and others as relievers, but only time will tell.

Because Ambort was recovering from elbow surgery, last year's primary catcher hopefully will be this year's primary catcher. Senior Jeff Vickers (.269-5-32) should hit in the middle of LU's lineup. The leading backup receiver is Richland JC transfer Ryan Saldivar.

Unknowns are flooding the place for most of the remaining areas with a few exceptions. It's unknown whether power-hitting sophomore Keith Towne is ready to be the everyday first baseman. Lefthanded batting transfers Brian Taylor (Oklahoma State) and Jeremiah Sammy (Lon Morris JC) are the frontrunners at second base and shortstop with returning senior Travis Dunson available to replace either one. Third base belongs to either steady-fielding Nik Gumeson (Southern Idaho) or steady hitting Chris Dunkin (Alvin JC).

Cisco JC speedster Anthony Moore offers the prototypical leadoff man with base-stealing ability and plenty of range in center fielder. Veteran slugger David Moore (.280-6-36) moves from right to left field in his senior year. Another Weatherford JC transfer (besides David Moore) may become the front runner to start in right field. He's lefthanded batting Steven Tucker.