9th Region Champions, the Dirty Birds, hit off tonight at five pm with their season opener. They will have their first match at Highlands Park against the Conner Cougars. The theme for the Ozone is still to be determined.

In terms of preparation, the team has been on top of it. Since the winter, the team has been working out in the Fitness Center and having three hour hitting sessions. Coach Baioni said that while the team is returning without some important contributors from last year, this season, the guys who have been waiting their turn to show what they can do now can. “The goal, like every year, is to get better every day in preparation for the district and regional tournaments.”

Senior Grady Cramer and Junior Ethan Kavanagh are seen to be this season’s key players.

Senior leader, Nolan Turner, talks about Ethan’s solidity in the infield but also how he is still able to, “really hit the ball.”

For Cramer, being a pitcher is all about consistency. And he has a lot of it. “He is the team’s best pitcher and is very consistent with throwing strikes,” says Turner.

Infielder, Kavanagh, said that this season has a lot in store for the team. “Just coming off a great year and ending the season as State Runner Ups, we have a chip on our shoulder, so we can to do good, if not better than last year.

“From making as far as we did last year, I hope we can accomplish winning the Regional Tournament for the 5th time in a row and from there, go onto the State tournament.”

Athletic director, Kevin Nieporte, is very excited for the start of Highlands Baseball season. He feels that the team is full of really good baseball players waiting to compete for 36th district and 9th region championship.

Just as Nieporte notes, “these kids have been working hard and deserve your support.”