by Cade Howard.

The baseball team kicked off its 2012 season with a 10-0 win over the Pine Bluff Zebras, Feb. 27.

Senior Tyler Nelson said that although the team preformed well members still have some room for improvement.

“I felt like we played well, but we were definitely a little rusty, we still have a lot to work on,” Nelson said.

Senior Dylan Cross made his pitching debut against the Zebras and was pleased with his overall performance.

“I think there are a few things I need to work on, but overall I thought I did a pretty good job,” Cross said.

Coach Kirk Bock says he looks for the leadership of his seniors to help propel the team to another successful season.

“I’m really looking for Dylan Cross, Jordan Taylor, Josh Pultro, Ozzie Hurt, Tryce Shaclin, Braden Jones and Quinten Motto to step up big this year,” Bock said.

Bock believes that if his team is going to make another run to the state championship, it’s going

to have to go through the toughest conference in the state.

“Playing in the 7-A Central Conference every day we step on the field, we have a chance to get beat, there aren’t any weak sisters,” Bock said.

Another factor Bock believes will play a major role in the teams success will be its ability to score runs.

“We are solid when it comes to defense and pitching, if we can score some runs we’ll have a shot at another state title,” Bock said.

The team will travel to Pine Bluff to take on the Watson Chapel Wildcats tonight, March 2.