The baseball team slides into the beginning of the season with high hopes and expectations.

“Skill-wise, we lost a lot from last year, but we are looking to make it up with hard work, dedication, and heart. Our chemistry has gotten a lot better as a team. We had poor senior leadership last year, but this year, our seniors are looking to lead the team and have better chemistry. Ethan King, ‘Big Uno,’ is looking to lead the team and step up in a big way,” senior Mavrick Pauley, second baseman, said.

The young come with little varsity experience, but that will not stop them

“Our weaknesses are definitely pitching and varsity experience. We had a good rotation last year, but most of them were seniors, so we are having to bring up younger guys for the rotation. That’s where we run into our varsity experience problem, too. A lot of our starters were seniors, so a lot of young guys will have to really step up and prove their worth,” senior Ethan King, centerfielder, said.

When it comes to competition, the Woodmen have some matchups they are looking forward to the most.

“I am looking most forward to our game against Plainfield. When we played last year, both games were really close, with us winning 2-1 in the first game and 5-4 in the second game in extra innings. Also, the game got very heated with a ton of chirping from both teams, so it will feel nice to beat them in both games this year as well,” Pauley said.

The players are not the only ones who look forward to certain games.

“I usually like playing Whiteland and Mooresville because I have known those coaches for a long time and talk to them. I played college baseball with the Whiteland coach, Scott Sherry. He was a pitcher, I was a catcher. I always enjoy Franklin as well because I got to coach against their coach when he was a player, and now I get to coach against him as a coach. Other than that, I am looking forward to all the Mid-State games since it will be one of the last years we get to play all of them,” Coach Andy Bass said.

Moving down a class and being put in a new Sectional will be another change.

“Moving down to 3A is not much of a change if you look at it in the bigger picture. We have teams like New Pal and Roncalli, who both have a rich history. They were both moved to 3A, just like us. Shelbyville has a great pitcher who is committed to Kentucky, as well. But we will not have to face teams like Center Grove, who always have great teams, and Mooresville, who have recently had great arms who throw 90 plus,” Coach Bass said

Potential teams the Woodmen could face include New Palestine, Shelbyville, Beech Grove, Indian Creek, Roncalli, and Rushville Consolidated.

“In the new Sectional, the teams are overall weaker. We won’t have to play Center Grove or Mooresville anymore, who are constantly ranked top in the state and are always tough teams. The teams are still solid, however, and should not be overlooked. Shelbyville has a solid pitcher, and New Pal and Roncalli are always good teams. But I know we can beat both of them and ultimately win the Sectional,” King said.

Sophomore Joey Ortman, utility, has had enough varsity experience to know the team will be well-prepared for the season.

“I do not think having a young team will affect us too much. We have good leadership, and every one of us is working hard to do our part in becoming better players to help the team as best as we can. I have high expectations for us and believe we will be very successful this year,” Ortman said.

Having a younger team will not be as big of an issue as some might think.

“We definitely have a lot of spots to fill, and we will have younger kids to fill them, but I am confident in them. I really like this group, and I know they work hard and are willing to fill in where they need to. Little varsity experience will not be as big of an issue as some may think. It is all about dipping their toes in the water. They are still playing the same game they have always played; the mound to the plate is still 60 feet 6 inches, and the bases are still 90 feet apart. The only difference is the faster pace of the game,” Coach Bass said

The Woodmen face the Roncalli Royals on April 3rd at home.