The state champion Varsity baseball team is at it again.

After a highly successful season last year, the players are hard at work preparing for the upcoming season. With just over two months left until the tryouts, they have been meeting three times a week for off-season workouts in order to prepare for the new season ahead of them.

The team lifts weights every Monday and Wednesday, and then finishes the week off with a run on Fridays.

“We’re more targeted this year, so Coach [John] James has us working hard,” said sophomore Taylor Boyd.

Not only are the boys improving physically, but mentally as well. Despite the loss of six seniors last year, two of which made First Team All-State, the team is still standing strong.

“We’re going to try hard to fill those spots,” said senior David Pyon.

With the help and guidance of the upperclassmen, the younger players of last year’s team are really stepping up to help complete the roster this year.

“The underclassmen are going to workouts a lot,” said Pyon, “They’ll have to contribute even more than last year.”

As freshmen on last year’s Varsity team, Boyd and Frank Sturek were given an amazing opportunity to play on the state champion team. Already, these underclassmen are setting high goals for themselves not just for this year, but also for years to come.

“It was pretty special to see Bobby and Charlie and be able to play with them,” said Boyd. “My goal is to make it to States all four years.”

The team agrees that their goal for this season is to make it through Districts, Regionals, and States, and hopefully lay their hands on the first place trophy once more. They believe it is important to work hard off the field and train by themselves, not just at practice.

Coach James has had a significant influence on the success of the team over the years. He attends the off-season workouts and is at the team’s side to support them through their intense training.

“We work to improve every day and we compete for the championships,” said James.

James has a positive attitude which helps encourage the boys and has lead them to the success they have experienced in past years. James is proud of his team despite the score, especially when he knows they have done the best they can.

“We can’t worry about how good we’ll be,” said James, “we can only control the effort we put forth.”