TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – NSU head baseball coach Jake Hendrick announced Tuesday the elevation of Butch Rea to assistant coach and Tyrie Blalock as graduate assistant.

Rea has spent the last two seasons as the graduate assistant for the baseball program after spending his senior season at NSU. He also played for a season at Central Arkansas and two years at Cowley County Community College.

 "I am excited about promoting Coach Rea into a role where he will be taking over our infielders and hitters," Hendrick said. "Having played at NSU as well as assisting in the GA role for the past two years, I believe he has a firm grasp on what we would like to accomplish offensively."

Blalock will be taking over as the graduate assistant, handling player development, and assisting with offensive development.
 
Blalock was previously an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina at Lancaster and as an assistant coach with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Summer League. He spent three years playing at USC-Lancaster before playing at Lander University.

 "I did a full national search to fill our graduate assistant spot. This is the first time I had looked to hire someone unknown to the program and myself. I could not be more excited to have Coach Blalock helping us this year. He is going to be a great addition."

 The RiverHawks will open the 2020 season on Friday, Feb. 7 at Southeastern Oklahoma. The team's first home game is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. against Southwestern Oklahoma.