Rusty Bourg knows good baseball fundamentals can make up for lack of power pitching.
That's why the Calvary Lutheran baseball coach is excited to return eight seniors on his roster, especially since the Lions don't appear have a lights-out pitcher. The Lions went 7-10 a season ago and are now looking to send off the senior group with a winning season.
"We have to throw strikes, play defense and score runs like most teams," Bourg said. "But it all depends on how well we can play defense. If we can throw strikes and play defense we can score some runs. But typically in the past it's been base hit, error, walk, couple more errors and then next thing you know it's 4-0 and we've got to catch up."
Calvary will go with senior Alex Flanigan on the hill at 5 p.m. today at Van-Far, but also plans to use seniors Colin Bernskoetter and Carson Crisp at some point in the contest. Drew Goodin is also listed as a pitcher for the Lions.
Staffing games is how Calvary will approach many of its games this season, especially with MSHSAA's new pitch count rules.
The daily maximum allowed pitches for seniors is 105 in a game. If a pitcher has more than 60 pitches they have to take at least three days off until they can pitch again, and if a pitcher throws 46-60 pitches in a game they have to take two days off. No rest is required by MSHAA if a pitcher throws less than 30 pitches in an outing.
When they are not pitching, Bernskoetter will play shortstop, Flanigan at first base, Crisp at third base and Goodin in the outfield. Rounding out the seniors are Jordan Duenckel at catcher, Carson Killday at second base, Ray Eickmeyer in center field and Logan Kammier as a reserve.
All of them except Kammier have been with Bourg for four years now.
"They've all been in the system, they know the expectations, they know what it takes to win," Bourg said. "They know how important it is to throw strikes, put the ball in play and not walk a bunch of people. They know the system, now it's just their last chance to make it work."
Calvary also has sophomore Nathan Bates in the outfield and freshman Ian MacLaughlin as a utility player.
The Lions have moved to Class 2 District 7 after playing in Class 2 District 10 last season. Russellville, who finished 10-10, and New Bloomfield, who finished 16-7, also made that move. New Franklin (20-1) is also new to the district winning Class 1 District 10 and advancing to the second round of the state playoffs last year. Fayette (3-12) and Harrisburg (8-13) are also in the district.
Given the team's tough schedule, Bourg is hoping the Lions can stay around the .500 mark. He also said his goal is win a game in the district tournament, then take things from there.
"We don't have that power arm that can get you into the district title picture, you have to bring our A game most of the time to win," Bourg said. "So that's what I'm looking for, some senior leadership and bring the A game and play some defense and I think we've got a chance."