GIRARD - The Girard High School varsity baseball team had its share of ups and downs, but coach Jason Johnson is pleased with the Indians' progress.
"We got off to a good start, was a little rocky, then got good again," Johnson said. "We've dropped a few lately, but we're starting to get healthy again and everybody is starting to get their game. We're looking forward to trying to get a league title (All-American Conference, Blue Division) and doing something in the playoffs."
Girard started off the season with its starting catcher Ryan Trimbur getting injured in the first game of the season.
Johnson said Trimbur hit a double and Joe Augustine followed that with a hit during the Indians' opener. However, when Trimbur rounded third base, he pulled his hamstring - leaving him unable to play for the next 10 days. The following three to four days, he was the team's designated hitter.
Johnson said the team's center fielder, Michael Floravit, did an amazing job filling in for Trimbur.
However, Johnson is glad to have Trimbur back behind the plate.
"He's as tough as they come," Johnson said. "I love having him back there."
Johnson also has players like Dante Delbene, Brandon Hunkus, Tallen Birmingham, A.J. Weibel and team captain Aaron Jennings are all great assets to the team.
"I got a great bunch of kids that work hard, show up every day and they do the things they're supposed to do," Johnson said. "I'm just happy to be their coach."
Johnson and the Indians would be happier with a successful run in the playoffs.
However, this year's postseason will start the week of May 9 with two sectional games, most likely, at its home field behind Arrowhead Stadium. But, Girard won't go to Warren G. Harding High School for district play, if the Indians make it that far.
Instead, Girard will play at Cene Park in Struthers in the Springfield District.
"We're used to being in the Warren District and now we're in the Springfield District with a lot of teams we're not used to playing," Johnson said. "We've seen Campbell and Mineral Ridge. Other than that, the five other teams we don't know much about.
"It could be a good thing or a bad thing."