Jamestown couldn't have been any closer to qualifying for the state Class A American Legion baseball tournament last season, so this year coach Shane Schoeneberg and Post 14 will be looking to make that extra step.
"Our overall goal is to make state and to compete for a state title," Schoeneberg said. "Last year we were one game short. Unfortunately we would have qualified for state but Wahpeton was the host."
Post 14 finished third in the state-qualifying tournament a year ago, which would have qualified Jamestown as the eight seed, but Wahpeton was awarded the final spot in state as a result of being the state tournament host.
Jamestown, however, will have a similar look to its lineup this season as a majority of the players will be returning for another year, something Schoeneberg said is a big benefit out on the field.
"They've played with each other for so long, now they know each other really well," he said. "You have to communicate, but at the same time they know what they've got to do. When you have that core group together all you really have to do is just add a couple role players here and there."
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Three key returnees will be Reid Monson, Ian Hogan and Tim Smith, who all just finished up their freshmen years of college.
Both Monson and Hogan are expected to provide some offense, while Smith should help anchor the pitching rotation.
"Tim Smith is definitely going to help us out," said Schoeneberg. "I'm looking for him to hopefully emerge as our ace."
Behind Smith, however, will be a group of pitchers who are still a little wet behind the ears. For the most part, every other pitcher in the rotation is coming off their first high school season where they saw significant time on the hill.
But Schoeneberg is confident the offense can lead the way, beginning with the top of the lineup.
Monson is expected to leadoff the order, while Danny Fischer will follow in the 2-hole, both providing potential to reach base safely for the batters who follow.
"Danny is only 16 this year, but he led the team in hitting last year," Schoeneberg said.
Jordan Piatz, Hogan and Brandon Gange, who received all-West Region accolades in his final season with the Blue Jays, will be asked to provide a bulk of the offense while hitting in the middle of the lineup.
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"Offensively I think we're going to be tough," said Schoeneberg. "We return a lot of our core guys from our lineup last year."
The Wolfpack will begin their quest for a state tournament berth today when they open the regular season on the road against Fargo Post 2. The state tournament is still a long ways down the road, but it is still on the horizon for Schoeneberg.
"First and foremost we have to improve and at least finish above .500," he said. "Then we want to make state and compete for a state title."
Sun sports writer David Griswold can be reached at (701) 952-8462 or by email at dgriswold@jamestownsun.com
