ATLANTA -- As the Georgia State baseball team wraps up fall practice, second-year head coach Brad Stromdahl is excited about the progress of his Panthers as he and his staff continue to build the program.

"It was a unique fall, for sure, but we finished strong," Stromdahl said. "I'm proud of our players for pushing through, and we are laying a foundation for what this program can be."

Stromdahl took over the program last season and led the Panthers to a very positive start in 2020, when GSU got off to a 9-7 record before the season was cut short.

Georgia State returns 26 letterwinners, including their top eight hitters and every pitcher who earned a victory, save or start, and the Panthers have added 16 newcomers who make up perhaps the most talented and impactful recruiting class in program history.

The program showcased its players with an intrasquad scrimmage Friday with numerous professional scouts in attendance.

"We played a really clean game, and tt was a good way to wrap up the fall," Stromdahl said. 

Stromdahl is particularly excited about his pitching staff. In addition to returning every key arm from last season, the Panthers have added nine pitchers, led by hard-throwing Dawson Sweatt from McLennan JC, the No. 4 junior college lefty in the nation and a top 25 JC prospect overall. Other pitchers with potential to make an immediate impact include right-hander Dylan Matela, a transfer from Furman, and junior college righty Jacob Riordan from Western Oklahoma State. 

Top returnees on the pitching staff include weekend starters Ryan Watson and Seth Clark, and relievers Joseph Brandon, Chad Treadway--a Freshman All-American, and Cameron Jones.

"The pitching staff will be our foundation, with the returning pitchers that we have along with the talent that we've added," Stromdahl said. "We have 15 guys who have touched 90 this fall." 

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. Other top position players returning include junior infielder Griffin Cheney (.302-0-5) and 2020 Freshman All-America shortstop Will Mize (.373-1-17).

Despite some uncertainty surrounding the spring season, Stromdahl knows his troops to be ready to compete.

"I'm confident that we will be ready to jump right into whatever the spring brings."