UIW transfer outfielder Dalton Beck commits to LSU

LSU baseball landed a massive piece out of the transfer portal on Wednesday night. UIW transfer Dalton Beck committed to the LSU Tigers, according to Kendall Rogers of D1baseball.com. Beck had a spectacular 2024 campaign for the Cardinals, hitting .377 with 18 home runs and 67 RBIs. In his first year with the team, he was named the Southland Conference Player of the Year.

He also led the SLC in slugging percentage (.733), hits (89), RBIs (67), and home runs (18). He was the designated hitter for Incarnate Word last year. Before transferring to UIW, Beck spent 2023 with Kansas State and 2022 at Grayson College, spending time as a pitcher and hitter over the years. He started in three games for the Wildcats, posting an 0-1 record with a 14.29 ERA.

His freshman year with Grayson College (2022), Beck made 12 appearances, posting a 7-4 record. He also registered a 4.33 ERA with 75 strikeouts. As a batter, he hit 10 doubles, two triples, and nine home runs.

His junior year with UIW (2024), Beck was top three in the SCL in nine different categories, while holding the UIW single season record for most RBIs, doubles, hits, home runs, intentional walks, slugging percentage, most at bats, and total bases. Across the NCAA, he ranked 39th in slugging percentage and 25th in hits.

LSU had a good season in 2024, finishing with a 43-23 overall record and a 13-17 record in conference. They went 3-2 overall in the NCAA Regionals in Chapel Hill, before eventually falling to the UNC Tar Heels in their final game, 4-3 (10 innings). North Carolina second baseman Alex Madera lined the go-ahead single in the top of the 10th inning to give the ‘Heels the win.

Following the loss, LSU head coach Jay Johnson was still proud of his team.

“We held the national championship trophy last year,” said the Tigers head coach. “I’m equally proud of my team and our program today as I was that day. Where we were in the middle of SEC play to right now epitomizes the character of this team. It is one of the most gratifying coaching years of my entire life. I love these guys. The achievement, the accomplishment – that’s obviously what we’re here to do. I have a broken heart just simply because I wanted to go to practice on Wednesday.”