The preseason baseball season has begun, and the Raider team will have a lineup of almost all new starters after the loss of 12 seniors last year.

Returning varsity players include Kyle Shelburne, Austin O’Quin, Jacob Maiwald, Blake Frausto and Brennan Arroyos. According to Head Coach Cory Hamilton, these guys will take on the role of the big dogs of the team.

“These guys are obviously a year older,” Hamilton said. “So it is quite noticeable that they are bigger, faster and stronger.”

Last years’ team ended the season just short of making the state tournament. Hamilton said that this years’ team hopes to take the season a step farther than last year and extend the season as far as they can. Though the full roster won’t be finalized until the second week of February, it’s no doubt the team has lost some major players.

“Anytime you lose a big class, especially one as talented and successful as last year, it is going to be hard to replace,” Hamilton said. “However, every team has a distinct and completely different aspect.”

Hamilton said this team has several things going for them, but one is team unity. 

“I think everyone enjoys being around each other, that’s a critical ingredient but it is very difficult to measure,” Hamilton said. “Hopefully they develop lifelong bonds that they can always count on.”