The Laurens Academy Crusaders are prepared to defend their three-year reign as SCISA A State champions, even though two college signees graduated in 2009 (Giddens who committed to Wofford and Tollison who committed to SMC). Entering his fourth season as the head baseball coach Travis Casey, a Wofford baseball alum, is excited about a challenging schedule and encouraged by the team's preseason work as the Crusaders enter the 2010 season.

 Ryland Culbertson (left), a South Carolina commitment in football, and junior Alex Satterfield (right), a South Carolina baseball commitment. Both were outstanding in the 2009 postseason and they expect even better results this season after spending the offseason playing with their respective teams, the Upstate Mavericks and the Carolina Cyclones. They will be joined at the top of the rotation by junior Brandon Martin, who also played with the Carolina Cyclones last summer. Rounding out the staff will be senior Sam Giddens, an Anderson University signee, and juniors Joshua Caviness and J.E. Satterfield, all members of the Upstate Mavericks.

The Laurens Academy infield will show different looks depending on the pitcher. The middle infield will consist of combinations of juniors A. Satterfield, and Christian Greene, and sophomore Michael Knight. J. Satterfield and sophomore Taylor Sims, will platoon at third base. Culbertson and Caviness will share time at first base.  Senior Maverick's member, Griffin Shell, and sophomore Jacob Greene, are expected to hold down the catching duties.

Tyler Mitchell in right. Rounding out the Crusader roster are sophomore Whitson Verdin, and freshmen Caleb Sims and Billy Rockefeller.

A mixture of speed and power will carry the Crusader offense throughout the course of the 2010 season. A. Satterfield and Culbertson are expected to hold down the 3 and 4 spots of the batting order. Crafty hitting and speed from Martin and Giddens at the top of the order will set up the big bats of A. Satterfield and Culbertson, leaving the Crusader offense very optimistic about scoring opportunities.

Laurens Academy will open the season March 5-6 against 2009 SCISA AAA State Runner-Up, Northwood Academy, and 2009 SCISA AA State Champion, First Baptist. In addition to their regular region schedule, the Crusaders will also face SCHSL AA teams, including Woodruff, Batesburg-Leesville, and Crescent high schools. They will also be hosting Happy Valley High from the Tennessee High School League. The Crusaders will be defending last year's first place finish in the Sandlapper spring break tournament held at Gilbert High School. Laurens Academy is primed and ready to meet these challenges and is excited about the opportunities of 2010.

You can follow the Crusaders at http://www.laurensacademy.com/athletics/var-baseball.aspx.

DP Note: Diamond Prospects thanks Coach Casey for taking time to outline the 2010 Laurens Academy Crusaders.