After a successful end to the 2022 baseball season with a record of 19-14 and making it to the state semi-finals, Jake Miller, junior, is hopeful the team goes just as far, if not farther, this season.

“I think we have the team to take it far,” Miller said. “I want to see us in the State championship game.”

The team has been training during the offseason by lifting weights three times a week and focusing on hitting once a week. Miller said they already feel extra prepared.

Miller played in the outfield and pitched for the j.v. team last season, and he said he hopes to start on varsity this year.

“I’m very excited for the potential of this season,” Miller said.

John Meyer, head coach, said he also feels optimistic about the new season because they have a large number of returning players who know what to expect in a game, and, like Miller, he thinks they have the potential to go far in the postseason.

“This year’s team will need to embrace the competition and play their best baseball at the right time,” Meyer said.

The team has a competitive schedule ahead, Meyer said, and one of the biggest challenges as the season goes on is avoiding complacency.

“At some point during the season, the team will need to find their purpose and buy into accomplishing a common goal,” Meyer said.

Warner Lenhan, senior, said he is more than ready to put in the work for his last high school season with his teammates.

“It’s fun to spend so much time with some of my best friends,” Lenahan said. “I look forward to just practicing and playing with them every day for a couple of months.”

Lenahan said the team lost three seniors from last year that brought a lot of talent, but he is not worried about the future of the team.

“Those guys will be missed,” Lenahan said. “But, we have some good players, like Sam Shackelford and Colin Kerber, that are ready to fill their spots that I’m confident in.”

Lenahan pitches, and he said on top of throwing and lifting an ample amount during the offseason, he took the time to become more educated on the game of baseball and work on the mental aspect.

“Pitching, and baseball in general, is a mental game,” Lenahan said. “Being in the right headspace is a huge part for me.”

Lenahan said he thinks they can play in the State championship, and it will come down to which team pitches the best when it really matters.

“I don’t see why we can’t go all the way,” Lenahan said.

The team will play their first game at MHS at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 17 against Parkway Central.