Mathews returns plenty of experience
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Last season, Mathews ran a top-to-bottom lineup of players without starting experience. Despite that, the Mustangs finished with a 19-7 record and made their second straight regional appearance.
Returning a solid core that established itself last season, including the pitcher-catcher duo of juniors Alex Nicholson and Ethan Petak, Mathews is hoping to hoist another district championship trophy in May.
"We graduated five seniors, but I do have the bulk of my pitching staff back intact, and, of course, our catcher back," Mustangs coach Jared Terlecky said. "We played well in our scrimmages. For being the first time out in the field, everybody seemed to know what everyone else was doing.
"I have very high hopes for this year. Last year, we won a league championship and a district championship. Our goals are the same this year; we should be a contender for both. We obviously have some tough games and whatnot, but my goal would be to repeat and do it again, hopefully."
In a tough district, it's going to take the returning players taking a step forward, and the new players getting used to game speed quickly. Luckily for Mathews, the core group of players that are returning are solid.
Petak will be a staple in the team's lineup. If he improves upon last season's numbers, expect him to be even more of a threat at the plate.
"He was our best hitter last year and had just a phenomenal season," Terlecky said. "He set school records in batting average, RBIs and doubles and I think total hits as well, so we're looking for another big year out of him. Filling his own shoes will be tough because of the kind of season he had last year, but as long as he's healthy and Alex (Nicholson) is healthy, those are two huge guys for us."
When not on the mound, Nicholson is going to be at shortstop, and Jake Williams will slide into his spot.
Other names to watch out for this season are third baseman Christian Mudrey, freshman Dom Toto, Heydon Matheny and senior Isaiah Munno, who hasn't played baseball for a few years but is re-entering the fray this season.
Toto, despite being a freshman, looks to be a utility player. He saw a steady increase in minutes on the basketball court this past season and his role with the baseball team could progressively increase as well.
"He's as ready as a freshman as I've ever seen, honestly," Terlecky said. "Usually, you can tell when a freshman is talented and stuff, but you look at him and he's just like, 'Boy, I didn't even have to tell him that'. He's very advanced. I look for him to step in, and he'll probably be a starter for us and at the top of the lineup somewhere and be a real good player. He's got the tools, he's got speed, he's got a good bat, he's got a good arm and could probably play anywhere."
The Mustangs have no shortage of challenges this season. In addition to a league schedule that is shaping up to be a battle in itself, Mathews is also facing teams like Heartland Christian, LaBrae, Liberty and Division IV state champion John F. Kennedy.
"That should be a neat game for us," Terlecky said. "It's kind of a measure to see how we stack up to a defending state champion."
Mathews' season was originally set to begin on Saturday with a doubleheader against Lisbon. Their next scheduled contest is against Brookfield at 5 p.m. Monday.
If the weather is still not cooperative, the Mustangs' season will begin 5 p.m. Wednesday against league rival Bristol.