Barnes take to to next level by Joey Martin - posted Thursday, January 3rd, 2013 @ 9:02 am  E-mail Story |  Print Story  Trey Barnes is not surprised to see two Barnes' competing on the collegiate level. Trey is a redshirt junior baseball player at LSU-Alexandria, while younger brother Devin is a freshman baseball player at Arkansas Baptist College. "I always felt we would both be on the big stage some day," Trey said. "My dad always pushed us hard. I wish we could be at the same school, but as long as we are both getting an education and playing ball, that's the main thing." Trey and Devin are the sons of George and Pamela Barnes. Trey signed with Arkansas-Monticello in baseball and football, but transferred to LSU-A as a sophomore. "I loved football in high school, but it was too much trying to do both," Trey said, "I decided to concentrate on one sport. I love the atmosphere at baseball games. I love how it's a quiet game and you can make an impact real quick." First year LSU-A coach Brent Porche is expecting Trey, who hit .317 last season, to have an impact this season. "Trey is a hard worker," Porche said. "I expect Trey to play a valuable role for us this year offensively. Trey is a big, strong guy. If he can continue to mature mentally as a baseball player and a hitter, he has a very high ceiling." In the final game of LSU-A's fall World Series, Trey had an RBI-double and also led off the fifth inning with a single. "I started out DHing, but I have worked up to starting at first base," Trey said. "I'm excited about having Coach Porche here. He has already taught me a whole lot, such as keeping my hands back and hitting the off-speed pitch." Trey said his goal is to be the No. 3 or No. 4 batter in the lineup. "My strength is my power," he said. "I want to lead the team in RBIs, home runs and hit a lot of doubles." Trey said the redshirt year has made him better. "I realize it's getting close to the end," he said. "It's do or die for me right now if I want to go to the next level. I feel like I am stronger and have more knowledge about the game. I'm looking forward to getting started again." As for Devin, never mind the adjustment from high school to college. He had to adjust to playing in the mountains of Arkansas. "It's a lot different atmosphere," Barnes said. It's much colder and tougher to breathe. I had to get in better shape and do more running to get used to it. It took about two or three weeks." Devin, who hit .338 last season as a senior at Vidalia with two home runs, had 33 at-bats in the fall and hit.276 for the Buffaloes. Arkansas-Baptist, located in Little Rock, competes in the Bi-State Conference and in the National Junior College Athletic Assocation, also known as Region II. The Buffaloes are coached by Shawn Regan, who started the baseball program at ABC in 2009. "Devin right now is scheduled to red-shirt this Spring," Regan said. "This will give him a chance to make the transition to college baseball a bit easier.  Also, we are sophomore heavy at first base this season. Devin is a mature young man who understands that red-shirtting this season is a great decision for his future. We have a world class strength and conditioning coach, Adam Settle, and Devin will work closely with him.   "As a red shirt, Deven will get extra time to work on his specific needs and get a better grip on college academics," Regan said. "He will travel and dress with the team—as he is the best clubhouse guy we have. His teammates love him. Devin had a good Fall, however, at the end battled some leg injuries. All in all, we are glad to have Devin as part of our team. He can really hit. He has a good approach and a plan when he steps in the box. I expect to see great things from him next season." Devin said sitting out a year will be difficult, but he knows it is good for him in the long run. "It's going to help me in many ways," he said. "And I'll still be able to play summer ball. This will give me a better chance to become better. I know I will have some big shoes to fill in 2014." The Buffalo baseball team finished 25-35 last season, winning their first Regional Tournament game with a 8-0 win over No. 1 seeded Northeasten Oklahoma. Before leading the Buffaloes, Regan spent eleven years (1999-2010) at J.A. Fair High School in Little Rock, as an English teacher and coach; seven as the head baseball coach. "I've learned a lot in just the little bit of time I have been here," Barnes said. "The coaches have worked with me a lot one-on-one and I have gotten a lot better." Barnes said his goal is to continue playing baseball after two years at Arkansas Baptist. "I would love to play in the Sun Belt Conference at Louisiana-Lafayette or Louisiana-Monroe," he said.