As the last breaths of bitter winter air fade away, the varsity baseball team is getting ready for their season. After last year’s successful season where they finished with a record of 13-4, the boys are eager to get back to where they left off.

Their season ended last year after losing to Bethesda-Chevy Chase in the first round of the playoffs, in what was an extremely tight game. Key players from last year’s successful season graduated, with pitchers Liam Miller and Rob Carpenter both playing DIII baseball at Rochester Institute of Technology this year and catcher James Walsh playing at the Naval Academy.

Returning as captains for this season are seniors Ryan Kunst, Josh Erd, Ethan Goldstein and Brandon Sun. “I can’t wait to get back out on the mound and start playing some games. We all have worked really hard in the off season to get ready for our senior season,” pitcher Kunst said.

Initial concerns for the team have been the injuries that have surrounded a couple of the pitchers. Pitchers Luke Brunner and Noah Parker are both coming off of injury, so there could be a slow start to the season in terms of mound play. Once both Brunner and Parker are back at full strength, the combination with Kunst should make a formidable pitching line up. Back at home plate, the hitting for the team is going to be one of their strengths. With big hitters returning from last year, namely Kunst, Erd and senior Tyler Cornet, the team has promising potential for hitting balls out of the park. “I’m looking forward to hitting some bombs this season,” Sun said.

The team began their season as most teams do with tryouts, followed by live scrimmages against other teams. The team played in four scrimmages, opening up with a loss against Damascus, followed by wins against Landon and Linganore, but fell short during their last scrimmages against Tuscarora. They started out slow in their first scrimmage against Damasucus, but the team has been looking better after each scrimmage and is feeling ready to begin the season. “We feel good after the scrimmages and we’re ready to start playing regular season games,” Goldstein said.

The boys suited up at home for their first regular season home game at McCracken Field against Paint Branch on Mar. 21. They won the game in dominant fashion, with a final score of 25-1. Captain Josh Erd hit a grand slam during the third inning, which was the exclamation mark on the team’s win. On Mar. 23, they played Watkins Mill and won 24-0. Their next game is on Mar. 25 at Blair.