John Blunk and Will Shepherd closely resemble each other. Not only do Blunk (the Wawasee baseball coach) and Shepherd (the Warsaw baseball coach) have similar looks, they are also close friends.

During and after the season, they talk a lot. Last year, Blunk had the upper hand in the conversations, having swept the season series from the Tigers 3-0, including a sectional win.

But this year might be Shepherd's turn.

Where Shepherd returns every player, yes every player, from last year's 13-16 squad, Blunk will have holes to fill with four key players missing and most of the leadership from last year's 18-13, regional squad.

Warsaw

After having no seniors on last year's team, the Tigers look at experience as a big plus for this season.

"We have the chance to be very good," Shepherd said. "I think we have some good senior leadership. The expectations go way up, but the preparations aren't so hectic (this year). The kids know how I organize practice and how I am in the X's and O's.

"If we don't reach all four goals (20 wins, NLC, Warsaw Classic and sectional titles), we will be extremely disappointed," he said. "I think that is reasonable expectations for a team that has every position a solid kid coming back in."

Among the key returners for the Tigers will be shortstop Craig Thomas (.440, 6 home runs, 22 RBIs), designated hitter/pitcher Evan Miller (.340, 7 HRs, 33 RBIs) and lefthanded pitcher Craig Lankford (6-4, 2.53 ERA).

Warsaw had a potent offense last year, but the Tigers' pitchers gave up too many baserunners (119 walks in 199 innings). Shepherd expects to see more of the same from his offense, but hopefully a reversal of fortune from his hurlers.

"Our pitchers need to not walk a lot of people," he said. "That doesn't mean they need to strike out a ton a game. We can be a good baseball team if the other team hits the ball because we have an athlete all over the field. I am just looking for our pitching staff instead of walking so many and putting us in bad situations just throwing strikes."

Warsaw hit only .282 as a team, but did crank out 16 home runs and knock in 136 runs.

"These kids know what I expect, and they know I don't like them taking strikes, so I am going to turn them loose," Shepherd said.

Warsaw's lineup will be very similiar to last year's, obviously, with leftfielder Pat Riley in the leadoff spot, centerfielder Sam Wihebrink, Thomas, Miller, thirdbaseman Andy Holst, first baseman Joe Stanley, rightfielder Jason Barrett, and Lankford.

Added to that mix is Luke Saylor, who will play second base. Saylor was the Tigers' starting shortstop two years ago as a freshman and returns after spending last year in Alaska.

"We have to be competitive over an entire seven-inning period," Shepherd said. "Last year, hit and miss we were competitive. Consistently great teams are competitive from 4:30 to 7 at night."

Wawasee

Last year, Wawasee had the kind of season that Shepherd is looking for this year. Behind the arm of Rod Holterman and the hitting of Rob Burke, Josh Mitchell and Shawn Johnson, the Warriors were a school-best 18-13, won a sectional title and were ONE inning away from a spot in the regional championship game.

Now those four players are gone and although the rest of the supporting cast returns, Blunk sees a long climb back up the hill.

"Even though we have six starters back, we still should be young and experienced," Blunk said. "We don't seem to have the leadership. Most of these kids have been followers. We have some big shoes to fill.

"We are not trying to close the door on last year," he said. "What we are trying to do is keep it open and try to build upon on it. They got some experience. They should be hungry. I can't tell you how many games we are going to win. I don't really have a feel for this team yet."

The Warriors' experience starts with the infield, where four players return with Tony May moving into the shortstop position. Mitchell was the starter last year, but May logged over 100 innings when Mitchell was on the mound as Wawasee's No. 2 starter.

"If we keep the ball on the ground in the field, we should be able to make the play," Blunk said. "We just have to be able to make the routine play."

Also back are first baseman Jesse Leonard (.310, 21 RBIs), second baseman Matt Coy and third baseman Luke Baker.

Blunk's biggest question mark will be pitching. With Holterman (11-4) and Mitchell (4-2) gone, the Warriors have only three wins returning on the mound. The top two starters look to be Farhan Haq (1-5) and Brad Swope (2-1) this year.

"Our young kids, when they get on the mound, will have to throw strikes and keep the ball low," Blunk said. "I don't know if we will score a lot of runs, but we can win with defense. We don't have a stud like Holterman. We don't have a No. 1. We have a pool. That is the way we are going early and hoping some people rise to the top."

Offensively, Blunk said he won't be counting on one, two or even three players to carry the load. It will take the whole squad for the Warriors.

"We have no superstars," he said. "I want to keep it that way. We have to be able to do the little things and play simple baseball." [[In-content Ad]]