Coming off the best season since 2014 and reaching the district title game, the Warren G. Harding Raiders are going to look different this year.

Without last year’s five seniors, as well as star Gummy Hart, who is now playing in North Carolina for the Kingsmen Baseball Academy, this year’s senior class will have the challenge of taking over leadership roles and while finding their footing at the varsity level. It’s a tough task, but Harding coach Andrew Burnett thinks it’s just a passing of the torch.

“A lot of it’s been just remembering what it took to get to that point last year,” Burnett said. “We had six or seven guys in the locker room and at practice that were going to push each other. That’s the team you kind of dream to have as a coach, because there’s not a lot you have to say. Obviously you’re teaching some things here and there, but as far as the motivation and holding each other accountable, it was a great group for that. That’s kind of what we put on these seniors this year, is just to kind of step into that role. We had 14 freshmen come out this year, so we really need some guys that will step up and show these guys what Raider baseball is supposed to look like and take it from there.”

Marcellus Murillo-Lang, Doug Pleacher, Isyah Johnson, Kwame Adams, Jayden Colbert and Johnny Williamson will take the reins of the program as seniors.

Some have had playing time in the past, but the Raiders are replacing seven starters in total. With having an inexperienced roster, getting out on the field early and often is going to be essential.

“We got a group of six seniors, and they’re trying to figure out how to be leaders. They didn’t have that role necessarily last year, but they’re excited and they’re taking it in stride,” Burnett said. “We’ve got to grow up a lot, but hopefully we can string some nice days together, get on the field and get some stuff done.”

Sophomore Elias Johnson is going to be one of the top names to watch for Harding this season. He finished last season as one of the Raiders’ top bats and will move from left field to play in the infield and pitch this year. Adams is the other returning starter, and will play shortstop and pitch primarily.

Murillo-Lang, Pleacher, Colbert and junior Jaron Edmonds all played last season as reserves, but are expected to be major contributors to this season’s group.

Despite all the new faces, the expectation is still the same, however.

“We’ve talked about what it took to get (district finals) last year, and how we have to play, and what we have to do. Obviously, the practices look a little different. There’s some things we have to cover and some things that we didn’t necessarily do last year that we’re going to have to do,” Burnett said. “We’re going to have to play good defense, and we’re going to have to run smart and be aggressive on the bases and kind of make things happen. Because we lost five of our six best hitters and our top two pitchers, it’s going to look a little different, but the expectation is still the same. We still expect to compete every day, and hopefully we can get out of here with the same kind of record we had last year.”

That expectation is reflected in the Raiders’ schedule.

With games against Massillon, Kennedy and Lakeview in addition to the always-brutal All-American Conference slate, Harding was going to have a challenge no matter how experienced the group.

The Raiders will have to grow up fast, something Burnett thinks his group is prepared for.

“Anytime you’ve got to face those league games twice a week, that’s tough on anybody, let alone guys that haven’t had a whole lot of varsity time,” Burnett said. “So it’s going to be a challenge, but hopefully we’re up for it, and we’re going to prepare the best we can to make it happen. Hopefully the weather cooperates and we can get a few games under our belt before we get into that.

“We’re going to come out and play baseball, and hopefully play some clean defense and be smart on the bases. Everybody on this team is athletic, so we’re going to have to move the ball around and bunt and put some pressure on teams. It’s gonna be good baseball. We just have to rise up to that next level to compete.”

The Raiders open their season up with Bristol on Friday.