Kaleb Earls Limestone College head baseball coach Chico Lombardo is going with a little more local flavor this season.

Former Blacksburg High standout Kaleb Earls and Gaffney’s Cameron Culp are expected to fill crucial spots on the pitching staff, while another homegrown talent, Michael Hughey of Gaffney, will start the season as a backup at short and second.

The Saints, who are picked to win Conference Carolinas, open the season this weekend at No. 1 Francis Marion.

Generally, freshmen are part of a youth movement. That’s not the case with Earls, who is expected to make an immediate impact as a starter and reliever.

“We are counting on Kaleb to be a significant force,” Lombardo said. “He had a great high school career and was very overpowering at the (American Legion) World Series.

“Physically, he has great arm strength with a fastball around 90 on a constant basis.”

Earls’ biggest challenge will be to compete against players several years his elder.

“He has always dominated guys his own age,” Lombardo said. “Now, he’ll be facing guys three to four years older.”

Last season, Culp led the conference with 13 saves and finished seventh in the nation in the same category.

Culp will fill the allimportant closer’s role once again this season.

“Cameron is a great individual and we love having him come in at the end of the game,” Lombardo said. “He’s a junior now and he’s physically matured.”

Hughey sat out last season with a back ailment but appears to be healthy now.

Lombardo said the team will be cautious with Hughey.

“Early on, his role will be to backup at short and second. As he progresses, we’ll see.“

Some other local players will play key roles on the Saints’ jayvee program.

Freshman Jared Mills is battling for a starting spot at shortstop or second base, while fellow freshman Corey Crissone will see time as a frontline starter and Will Raines will be behind the plate at catcher.

Lombardo said he’s been pleased with the development of all three players.

The jayvee team will play as many as 24 games this season.