Warsaw Tigers

Coach: Will Shepherd

Last year's record: 13-16 (4-8 NLC)

Key losses: none

Returners: LHP Craig Lankford (6-4, 2.53 ERA), SS Craig Thomas (.440, 6 HR, 22 RBIs), DH/P Evan Miller (.340, 7 HR, 33 RBIs; 2-5, 4.79 ERA), CF Sam Wihebrink (.370), 3B/P Andy Holst (.239; 2-2, 4.45 ERA), 1B Joe Stanley (.291, 14 RBIs), C Matt Kloser (.241), RF Jason Barrett (.271)

Wawasee Warriors

Coach: John Blunk

Last year's record: 18-13 (Sectional champion)

Key losses: P Rod Holterman (11-4, 1.28 ERA), SS Josh Mitchell (.290; 4-2, 4.20 ERA), C Rob Burke (.320), CF Shawn Johnson (.253)

Returners: IF Jesse Leonard (.310, 13 runs, 21 RBIs), OF/P Brad Swope (.345, 13 runs, 20 RBIs; 2-1, 4.20 ERA), OF Jeff Beer (.321, 7 RBIs), IF Luke Baker (.219, 8 RBIs), IF/P Farhan Haq (.143; 1-5, 9.30 ERA), IF Tony May (.136), IF Matt Coy (.083)

Tippecanoe Valley Vikings

Coach: Pat O'Connell

Last year's record: 11-13 (3-4, TRC)

Key loss: Bo Wohead (.407, 26 RBIs)

Returners: P Orville Haney (7-2, 4.45 ERA), P R.J. Hutchinson (2-4, 3.93 ERA), SS/P Matt Bose (.303), 2B/P Jason Smith (.382), C Cam Vanlaningham (.170), RF/DH Aaron Hart, LF/P Mike Parker, 3B Anthony Simpson, CF/P Seth Mikel, 1B Brent Bowser, 1B Bryce Gast

Coach's comment: "We lost seven seniors, and that was most of our hitting and team speed. We are regrouping and working hard with this year's hitters. We are not going to be as quick as last year, but they are going to be more intelligent, and they know my concept this year (second under O'Connell). We should have some good leaders this year. They have such good work ethic that this will probably be a better team because of that. We return a solid pitching staff."

Manchester Squires

Coach: Ron Eberly

Last year's record: 3-20 (2-5 TRC)

Key losses: none

Returners: 1B/P Derek Ring (.347), OF/IF Chris Good (.347), Shawn Phillips (.290), P Heath Simcoe, P Jason Branham, P Cory Cassell, P Dusty Butterbaugh

Coach's comment: "We went with a lot of sophomores and freshmen last year. We had to teach our brains out. It is a lot easier this year. The kids know what they are doing. Whether that transfers into wins, we will see Saturday (season opener). Who wants to be 3-20 again? We are looking forward to a much better season. The biggest thing is the attitude it takes to do that. We are anxious to play and see what we can do. I feel like we are hitting the ball well right now, but we are still unproven in games. "

Whitko Wildcats

Coach: Randy Hart

Last year's record: 9-12 (4-3 TRC)

Key losses: Cory Sleighter, Corey Green, Barry Weybright, Scott Barker, Scott Craft, Brock Rhodes, Garth Sponseller, Noah Tucker

Returners: 3B/P Dustin Patrick (.384, 3 HRs, 23 RBIs; 3-4, 4.88 ERA), 1B/P A.J. Frantz (.352, 21 RBIs; 1-1, 5.68), IF/OF/P Billy Riffet (.323, 10 RBIs, 12 SBs), IF/C Ivan Hathaway (.206), 2B Jason Jaeger, OF Jeff Martin (.182)

Coach's comment: "We lost a lot, but we have a good core back. Our returners are very talented. Offensively, we should be steady and solid. A.J. Frantz and Dustin Patrick will have to be the workhorses for us in our pitching staff. We have other kids that we will get time on the mound, but those two will have to carry a lot of weight for our season. I think we can have a comparable season to last year. We have a good group of competitive kids. I really think we will be competitive in the (Three Rivers) conference. The first two weeks of the season will be critical for us. We need to get some kids out there and get them a feel of the game."

Triton Trojans

Coach: Jim Shively

Last year's record: 21-6 (13-1 NSC)

Key losses: Scott Blackford, Cory Monesmith, David Sauer, Kevin Oxley, Brad Hargrave

Returners: P Jeff Salisbury (5-4, 2 saves; .447), P Justin Grubbs (6-0; .323), C Kyle Gould (.304, 19 RBIs), CF/P Derek Ganshorn (.278; 3-0), Schuyler Stutzman (.333)

Coach's comment: "It will be tough to match last year. But we are not going to be hurting this year. We are going to have to win the tight games. We definitely won't be able to score as many runs as we did this last year. Offensively, we won't be weak, but we won't be stronger than most teams like we were last year. Pitching-wise and defense, we should be pretty strong. It will be easier to win the state than it was the sectional (at Plymouth last year) in the past."

NorthWood Panthers

Coach: Doug Gerber

Last year's record: 12-15 (4-8 NLC)

Key losses: Wes Dodson, Cory Geyer,

Returners: 1B Curt Young (.333, 21 RBIs), 2B/P Andy Yoder, 1B/P Todd McDonald, C Dustin Potts, SS Brock Doty, OF Brian Brand, OF/P Scott Ganshorn, OF/P Nate Brown

Coach's comment: "We will have a young squad. We had some guys last year that were thrown into the fire before they were really ready. They gained some experience, and hopefully they can take the next step. I am not going to have any large expectations. We are looking for improvement from last year. What we have to do to win as a team is play better defense than last year. We can't force ourselves to score nine or 10 runs to win games. We should be competitive and in the sectional. Our success will depend on how our young pitchers will respond to being the No. 1 or No. 2 guy on the mound." [[In-content Ad]]