After a 2009 team that earned a regional semifinal appearance and featured seven all-district selections, the stakes are set even higher for the 2010 Raiders baseball team.
This year’s team is returning seven starters including defending district 3-4A player of the year Patrick Esposito and University of Texas signee Dex Kjerstad. The amount of experience and talent on this team has led to high expectations even for a program that consistently puts teams in the regional playoffs. With practice underway and the first game set for Feb. 23, the Raiders are getting ready to hit the diamond.
“We have a great senior class,” second-year head coach Cory Hamilton said. “Senior leadership plays a big role every year. The legacy of the program lies on the seniors’ shoulders.”
Hamilton said what sets this senior class apart is their knowledge and passion for the game, as well as a strong work ethic.
“There is a long list of things these guys do well,” Hamilton said. “When you combine all those things it really makes them fun to work with.”
The team will feature returning lettermen in eight of the nine lineup spots, and Hamilton said everyone does something well.
“That’s the great thing about baseball,” Hamilton said. “Everyone brings something to the table. Corey Kirkland is great at the leadoff spot, Chance Harlan has made tremendous improvements in his game, Kjerstad can hit the ball out of the park in any at bat, and the guys behind him, Esposito, Nolan Hoskins, Taylor Marks and Taylor English are all very capable.”
Senior Jeremi Moreno, who earned an all-district selection last season, will be the ace of the pitching staff, but Hamilton said other players will have to step up in the staff.
“Every year opens new doors,” Hamilton said. “There will be opportunities for guys in the rotation, and it’s just a matter of who wants to step up and take them.”
Although the team has just begun practices, they attended a Texas Tech team camp where Hamilton said they learned several things they need to improve on.
“Our pitchers need to throw more strikes and challenge hitters,” Hamilton said. “We also need to do a better job of hitting with runners in scoring position. It’s still hard to tell everything we need to improve, but the more competition we see, the more we will learn.”
While it is yet to be seen what this season holds in store for the Raiders, they are setting their goals as high as ever.
“The only problem with goals is setting them too low,” Hamilton said. “Obviously we want to win a state championship, but it’s important to focus on playing inning-by-inning, pitch-by-pitch, and making the most of every out.”
