SARNIA – Called in the Brigade.

Third baseman Noah Lester has officially announced his commitment to Head Coach Al Bezaire and the Lambton Men’s Baseball Program for the 2023 season and beyond.

Lester is the seventh member of the 2023 recruiting class for the Lions on the diamond. He will join the likes of Jake Noble (Grimsby, Ont.), Mitchell Montague (Welland, Ont.), Beau Elliott (Belle River, Ont.), Tyler Gould (Stratford, Ont.), Logan Klompstra (Sombra, Ont.), and Logan Buntrock (Sarnia, Ont.) as a newcomer in a Lambton uniform when the 2023 season kicks off in two weeks.

“Again, we are very fortunate to welcome in another 18U PBLO All-Star to our program from the Sarnia Brigade organization,” said Bezaire. “Noah is a strong all-around athlete who brings more versatility to our roster, and he’s someone who will be able to contribute both on the mound and in the infield.

Lester, who hails from Sarnia, is the third commitment in as many days to come from the Sarnia Brigade organization, joining teammates Logan Klompstra and Logan Buntrock as new commits while reuniting with several other teammates from the Brigade over the years.

Like Buntrock, Lester split time this summer across three different levels within the Brigade organization. Lester helped the Midget 18U Team win their second consecutive Silver Medal in the Premier Baseball League of Ontario (PBLO). Later in the summer, he played with the Senior AAA Program and helped the group come away with the Southwestern League Championship.

With the next chapter of his baseball career on the horizon, Lester is excited for the opportunities that lie ahead.

“It’s exciting because I’ve been looking forward to continuing my baseball career at the college level,” said Lester. “Having the opportunity to stay close to home and have my family be able to come watch me play means a lot.”

“Playing with guys like Klomp and Bunts again, it definitely keeps a bit of that chemistry together and we can build off that with all of the new guys we’ll play with this year.”

Primarily a third baseman, Lester’s commitment helps to shore up a key spot in the infield, solidifying the hot corner. The Sarnia native also brings another element of versatility to the roster with his ability to pitch, either as a starter or in relief.

Academically, Lester will be enrolled in the Border Services Program at Lambton College.

The Lions are coming off a 2022 season that saw the group continue to make positive strides as a relatively young program in the OCAA. There’s a positive buzz surrounding the program, one that continues to grow with each passing day as the 2023 season nears.

The addition of Lester to the lineup injects more talent and versatility to the lineup on both sides of the ball.

Welcome to The Den, Noah!