Never mind the peanuts and Cracker Jacks ? just root for the Wildcat Varsity Baseball team.
With six returning seniors, Head Coach Kurt Nuss said the team is packed with talent and ready for every pitch.
‘Our team is smart and our strength is in our depth all around,? said Nuss, adding he expects the team to get better as the season unfolds.
Leadership from returning seniors is key to the season.
‘We’ve grown and I have no doubt they’re going to step up to the plate,? said Nuss.
Second-year starting sophomore Jeremy Bukoski will take the pitching mound along with senior Kyle Oliver and junior Tim Shafto. Behind the plate is senior Mike Jones with junior Brad Dugan as backup catcher.
Senior team co-captains Jim Carrier and David Fischer will cover first and third bases while senior team co-captain Joel Grifka lends his strength and speed to the outfield.
Nuss plans for senior Brett Brammer to move players around the bases as a powerhouse designated hitter, Brammer will also be used in the outfield with sophomore Vinnie Ives. Newcomer senior Brad Haney will used offensively on both first base and in the outfield.
‘Our outfield has more speed than I’ve seen in a long time, which will help in base running as well,? Nuss said. ‘Team speed is a definite plus for us this year.?
Leadoff hitter junior Chirs Harper proved to be aggressive at the plate after being brought up from the junior varsity team during district competition in the 2004 season. Nuss said he’s a great addition to the varsity team.
Nuss said the 2005 varsity team has strong competitors in every position with no holes on the field.
Because it’s still early in the season, Nuss said hitting will be a focus for the team (being consistently ready for every pitch and aggressive at the plate).
Any weaknesses the team may experience will be overcome with time. ‘The good part is the weaknesses are things I know they can overcome,? he said,
Nuss said the Flint Metro League is more competitive than ever before. ‘From top to bottom the league is loaded with good athletes. We expect to see good pitching every time we play and we just need to make the routing plays that they know how to make.?