After a disappointing start of the season last year, freshman catcher Sam Hunt expects the team will make a strong return this spring.

According to Hunt, the combination of returning players and younger athletes brings depth to the roster.  

“I think a lot of development has gone on with all of our players. We have young players, sophomores, freshmen, like I am, that have gotten a lot better. So I think we’ll have a lot more tools to use this year and a lot more experience going into the season,” Hunt said.

Head coach Brian Kelly said after a successful 2016 season, he expects the team to start out playing to their fullest potential.

“Last year, starting the season, we were coming off of a high from the season before, having a really successful playoff run. And we came in and just didn’t play well right away,” Kelly said.

Kelly said the team is approaching the season with a fresh mindset and is looking to achieve their small goals first.

“We’re not looking past anybody. We’re focused on every game individually and not overlooking anybody and just really preparing for each individual game, it’s almost like a football mentality. Every game’s the superbowl and we’re putting everything we have into the individual games,” Kelly said.

Hunt said he advises players looking to tryout to start practicing now in preparation for the season.

“Start taking grounders, start taking fly-balls, start catching, and hit as well. Try to find a cage or even at your house as well, start taking some swings,” Hunt said.

A baseball parent-player informational meeting will take place 7 p.m. March 8 in the middle school cafeteria. Tryouts begin March 19 and end March 22.