The Loyola Marymount Lions baseball team, fresh off the heels of their first West Coast Conference Tournament championship, have completed their staff for the upcoming season with the promotion of Ryan Erickson to Volunteer Assistant Coach and the addition of Richie Escalera to Director of Operations.
 
Erickson, recently completed his third season on the Lions staff in 2019 and helped guide the Lions to a 34-25 overall record and first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2000.
 
Erickson is responsible for coaching the infielders and assisting with LMU's hitters. "Coach Erickson is a very intelligent and passionate person," said headh coach Nathan Choate. "Our infielders will continue to develop under his tutelage. LMU has a rich tradition of quality infield play and this will continue under Coach Erickson's watch.  We are very excited to have him on staff."

Over four years in a Lion uniform, Erickson appeared in 75 games, starting 44. The native of Manhattan Beach, Calif. hit .260 for his career, collecting 26 runs scored, 14 doubles, two triples, a homer and 14 RBI.

Escalera comes to the Lions after spending the last four seasons on the coaching staff of the University of Antelope Valley Pioneers. He will assist with all team logistics and operations.
 
Previously to joining the UAV coaching staff, he worked as a volunteer baseball coach for Cal State Bakersfield. During his time with the Roadrunners, Escalera worked with pitchers for two seasons and two seasons working with the hitters and corner infielders.

In 2015, he helped guide the Roadrunners to the Western Athletic Conference Tournament Championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament, which was the school's first visit to the NCAA Championships in baseball."Richie comes from a very strong baseball pedigree," said Choate. "His ability to multi-task and put the program and players at the forefront of his mind will helped us tremendously. We are all excited to get to work."