Fall team practice officially gets underway Monday for the Georgia State baseball team as the program enters its second season under head coach Brad Stromdahl.

Stromdahl and his staff look to build on a very positive start in 2020, when the Panthers got off to a 9-7 record before the season was cut short.

Not only do the Panthers return 26 letterwinners, including their top eight hitters and every pitcher who earned a victory, save or start, but the program also welcomes 16 newcomers who make up what could be the most talented and impactful recruiting class in program history.

"We're unbelievably excited to get back on the field," Stromdahl said. "It's been a long time coming. We've spent so much time over the last few months preparing for today and this next six weeks that we're able to spend together.

"We've been working in small groups and pods, and now we're just excited to be able to work together as a team."

Three seniors from last year's squad are back for another season, led by top hitter Elian Merejo, who hit .407 with five homers and 13 RBI in 16 games last spring.

"To be able to have Elian for another year is a huge get for us," Stromdahl said. "Elian anchors our offense and leads our team in where we're going offensively. 
Now we're able to surround him with some good players, from the improvements by our returning players to new players we've brought in."

The highly-regarded recruiting class features nine junior college transfers, six freshmen and one four-year transfer.

"We have some really good young players who will continue to build our foundation, and we also brought in some outstanding junior college players to fill in the gaps," Stromdahl said.

"Right away looking at us paper, we should have a very competitive team and put a good product on field," he continued.

"All of us are fortunate to be where we are in this day and time, and we're just excited to play this fall."