The Valmeyer High School baseball team is counting on strong starting pitching and overall varsity experience to hopefully guide them to a winning 2014 campaign.

Last year’s ballclub finished 10-17-1 under head coach Greg Reinhardt. The Pirates lost two full-time starters from the 2013 team.

Fortunately, among those returning are all of the starting pitchers from last year’s squad, including Hunter Brewer (3-5, 1.48 ERA in 57 innings pitched), Mark Nappier (2-3, 1.85 ERA), Dakota Maus (2-4, 2.58 ERA) and Zach Williams (3-3, 4.67 ERA).

Maus, a senior who was named all-conference last season and plays shortstop when he is not pitching, hit. 333 last season with 23 stolen bases. Other seniors leading the way for the Pirates in 2014 are first baseman Derek Hoffmann and outfielder Ethan May.

Brewer, a junior, was also named all-conference last season, and plays catcher and shortstop when he is not pitching. He hit .312 last season with 16 stolen bases. Other juniors are Griffin Seidler (catcher, infielder), all-conference outfielder Eric Smith (.290, 16 stolen bases), Williams, Cole Matzenbacher and Ryan Unterseh.

Nappier is a sophomore who plays third base and catcher when he doesn’t pitch.

“Experience should be a strength,” Reinhardt said.

As for key games the Pirates are looking forward to this spring, Reinhardt said “all the conference games, because one of our goals is to win the conference.”

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