After finishing 2011 with a 45-15 record but falling short of the world series, LSUE head coach Jeff Willis is excited to get back on the field and see what this year’s Bengals can accomplish.

LSUE faces Bossier Parish Community College in a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday in the season opener.

“It will be a big challenge,” Willis said. “Every year they have a competitive teams and do very well in their conference.

“They are very aggressive in running the bases and hitting and running.

“Our pitchers are going to have to keep runners close at first base and throw strikes because they are going to put pressure on us in the small-ball game.”

Brady Domangue and Brady Willson are scheduled to be the starting day pitchers.

“This is the time that we evaluate guys in real game competition,” the coach said of the line-up. “It will be interesting to see who rises to the top.”

Sophomores that Willis expects to lead the way this season include Eunice High’s Stuart Turner, Sam Carriere (Destrahan), Tanner Olinde (Catholic-PC), Zac Hawkins (Northlake Christian), Brady Wilson (Parkview Baptist), Dalton Herrington (Minden), Patrick Michon (Porter, Tex.), Marc Picciola (St. Charles Catholic), Josh Sims (LaSalle), Chuck Tillery (Starkville, Miss.), Tyler Caruthers (Denham Springs), Tyler Venable (Rayne), Hayden Saucier (Comeaux), Jared Dye (Mangham), Chad Miller (Sulphur), and Howard College transfer Patrick Michon (Porter, Texas).

LSUS transfer pitcher Cody Boutte (New Iberia) and Kirk Savoy (Menard) joined the program in the off season.

“I think they will contribute on the mound for us,” Willis said.

Redshirt freshmen include Landon Thibodeaux (Central), Southeastern Louisiana transfer Brady Domanque (Vandebilt Catholic) and Justin Desselle (Crowley).

Freshmen Zac Person (Eunice) is joined by Adam Angelle (Teurlings Catholic), Brandt Bourgeois (Destrahan), Casey Rodrique (Brother Martin), Drew Forbes (Denham Springs), Will Bacon (Parkview), Justin Schoop (Central), Garrett Deschamp (Parkview Baptist), Cody Rider (Sam Houston) and Buddy McCoy (Haugton).

Redshirt players include Trent Vidrine (Eunice), Keegan Kratzer (Jennings), Zach Schexnayder (Destrahan), Austin Barrois (Belle Chasse), Dakota Freese (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), Kael Jones (Kirbyville, Tex.), Clay Tageant (Franklinton) and C.J. Womack (Denham Springs).

“I am pleased with the work ethic and the character of our team,” the coach said. “The team has a 3.245 GPA, the highest ever in semester for our baseball team here.”

The Bengals have 40 of their 56 game schedule at home.

“We spend the first month at home,” Willis said of the schedule. “That should help build a lot of confidence for the rest of the season.

“We play 56 practice games in order to play four games in a regional tournament to get us to the world series,” Willis said. “We want to play the best competition we can schedule to prepare us so we can succeed in the playoffs.”