HDC Baseball looks to build off experience

Hampton-Dumont-CAL baseball returns a majority of their team this season, graduating two seniors last year.

The Bulldogs will have the luxury of experienced players to build upon this season.

“It has been nice having experience on this team even if that experience was only in a shortened season,” coach Matt Lokenvitz said. “After working together last year and now the start of this year, we are growing as a team and learning now how to play with our teammates.”

Lokenvitz said the team has entered this season with better understanding between each other.

Greater experience should lead to better communication on the field.

Lokenvitz wants to see his guys picking each other up and being prepared for game situations.

The team’s goal is to improve during the year and prepare for postseason play.

HDC also sets a number of different goals, such as finish in the top half of the conference or bigger goals such as winning 20 games.

All-conference player Mario De La Cruz will be a key player for the Bulldogs this year. Catcher Cal Heeren will be looking to continue his stellar play at the position.

Sophomore Marco Guerrero will be batting at the top of the lineup.

Guerrero as well as many other members of team possess great speed.

Both Gerrero and De La Cruz batted above .300 last year.

Lokenvitz believes that the athleticism and experience will help players put pressure on opposing defenses when on base.

On the defensive side of the ball, Lokenvitz said the team needs to focus on not giving up walks.

“We cannot be giving them free bases via the walk and then it only takes 4-5 hits to put up big run totals,” he said.