Click Here to Listen to Head Coach Danny Acosta
Iowa Lakes Baseball entered the 2020-2021 academic year with a new coaching staff lead by Coach Danny Acosta and two GA Coaches, Kyle Houts and Coach Dakota Young. Houts emphasizes in strength and conditioning, as well as infield coaching. Coach Young is the Recruiting Coordinator and outfielder coach, while Coach Acosta oversees the general day to day operations of the program.
When asked about the change to the start of the season due to COVID-19, Head Coach Danny Acosta said, "Our fall season was one of many changes adjusting to a new culture and team dynamics, our student-athletes adjusted very well and responded great to the changes. Amid COVID-19 and following all guidance & protocols, we were able to have a season in which we played very well, could have use better performance on the offensive side of things, but the defense and pitching did the job."
This year the Lakers count on a good group of returners to lead the team through the season. These returners are Dean Bedell, a C/RHH sophomore from Mineola, IA, Chase Dornfeld, a RHP from Appleton, WI, Logan Ferguson, a LHP from Idaho Falls, ID, Jacob Gilbert, a RHP from Wasilla, AK, Andrew Eskens, an IF/RHH from Lincoln, NE, Jimmy Mapakou, OF from Vaureal, Ile-de, FR, Beau Sackett, IF/OF from Malcolm, NE, Noah Murphy-Sealy, 1B from Aurora, ON and Cory Knight, RHP from Ankeny, IA. Among these student-athletes, the Lakers count a few transfers to reinforce the sophomore line up with experience and great athletic ability and they are Caden White, Triston Lundgren, Holden Boyce, Mohamed Boui, TJ Gallaberg, Austin Daliet & Kedrick Edwards. Coach Acosta also included, "On the same token we are very happy about our freshman class as they are showing great athletic abilities and are responding greatly to our process, while they are a large number, we like to highlight Joseph Winters, Benjamin Bach, Jackson Jaeckley, Delvis Claudio, and Joan Benavidez."
Looking ahead into the season possibilities, the Lakers are optimistic and looking to play hard and battle with everyone in the conference, understanding that pitching is not the stronger element for this group, they believe that they are capable of pitching efficiently and aggressively and give the Laker offense the opportunity to score some runs. Coach Acosta touched on the what the Lakers will be looking to face in the upcoming games, "No doubt that we are in one of the best conferences in the Nation, having said that is just exciting to look at the possibilities, but as we mentioned earlier is a new year with new coaching staff everything plays a big role, so will see how it goes. One thing is for sure we have worked very hard on our general and specific preparation for the season, the players are going to be fit mentally and physically for it. We expect to see great competition across the board within the conference, but more so from teams like Kirkwood, Iowa Central, Southeastern, Northeastern are the teams to beat, without taking anything for granted from the rest of the conference. This year schedule has been very difficult to put together so, is not normal to have to play both D1 & D2 schedules within the same schedule, therefore, will be different and will make it harder, we are looking forward to it."
The Lakers will travel to Marion, IL to face Southeastern Illinois College on February 23rd and 24th at 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm.
OTHER: Interview attached with Head Coach Danny Acosta
20-21 Roster: https://iowalakesathletics.com/sports/bsb/2020-21/roster
20-21 Schedule: https://iowalakesathletics.com/sports/bsb/2020-21/schedule
MEDIA: For more information, please contact Head Baseball Coach Danny Acosta at (712) 362-7968 or the Iowa Lakes sports information office at (712) 362-7928.