The 2014 baseball team walked off the field for the last time with heavy hearts after a tough loss to Vianney in the Quarterfinals of sectionals.

Senior Nick Rauber, catcher, said it was a tough way to end the season, but he is in no way disappointed with the efforts of the team.

“Last season was successful, but was a great example of a talented team who played for each other and had each other’s backs on and off the field,” Rauber said. “A lot of people will define last season as the most successful Marquette team ever, but for me it was defined by lots of memories and laughs.”

Now, the team looks forward to the 2015 season with optimism and excitement.

Rauber said bringing the team together, similar to last year, will not be that hard.

“This year, I expect us to have another very successful team that gels well ,” Rauber said. “And with a coach like Coach Meyer leading the way, the win column will be full of W’s.”

Coming into this year’s varsity team is a Junior Class that, Rauber said, need not be overlooked.

“Every year the seniors second guess the juniors’ abilities and just how well they will contribute,” Rauber said. “But every year, the juniors show their worth and step up at various times throughout the season. I don’t think it will be different this year. Every junior will have their chance to contribute to the team in some way.”

One of those juniors, Spencer Chien, second baseman, said his class has worked hard to be where they are today.

“The junior class understands that we must work our tails off in order to become successful at the varsity level,” Chien said. “I believe the junior class has worked very hard and have a good level of talent.”

Coach John Meyer said that the junior class has a lot of talent, and will able to step up big when needed.

“There are a number of capable juniors that are ready to step in and make an impact,” Meyer said. “It typically takes a few games for the juniors to catch up to the level of intensity and the speed of the game. But once that happens, the juniors will provide the team with depth and make us that much harder to beat.”

Aside for the new talent arriving, the varsity team has a large returning class that, Rauber said, will work as a unit to lead the team.

“I don’t think we have one person that’s necessarily going to step up,” Rauber said. “I think we will have a strong roster that is stacked with guys that will both get the opportunities and have the ability to step up at big times all throughout the season.”

Meyer also said he has high expectations based on what he has seen both on and off the field.

“I expect our team to buy into the system that is in place, play to specific standards that we set as a team, and trust the process,” Meyer said. “We had a great off season in the weight room which tells me the players like to work hard. I expect each player to lead a certain way, compete, and try to be the best teammate possible. If everyone is on the same page, we will have a great season and be in a position to play for a championship of some kind.”