The 2010 Lebanon baseball team was a perfect example of getting hot at the right time.
Lebanon entered the postseason in 2010 with a .500 record (14-14), but claimed regional, sectional and super-sectional titles before losing 12-8 to Elgin Westminster in the Class 1A state semifinals. The Greyhounds, who finished the year at 20-15, bounced back to beat Down Tri-Valley 7-3 in the third-place game.
"We were capable of playing that way all year, but we got to the postseason and got a little bit of luck on our side," said Lebanon coach Todd Harpstrite. "We got some confidence, and we showed our capabilities the last couple weeks.
"I'm hoping that confidence can carry over into this season. We're going to be young and a little inexperienced in spots, but I'm counting on the older guys leading the youngsters so we can be successful."
Graduation losses included pitcher-catcher Matt Sellers, second baseman Ryan Essenpreis, pitcher-first baseman David Haas and outfielders Dustin Pendegraft and Justin Fohne. The list of returning players includes senior Tyler Sonsoucie, who was the team's No. 1 pitcher with an 11-2 record and a 2.60 ERA. He plays shortstop when he's not on the mound and had a .496 batting average with three homers and 18 RBI.
"We're going to need Tyler to be our go-to guy and lead the team," Harpstrite said. "He's a three-sport athlete (including soccer and basketball) and he has a positive outlook on everything. The other day I put him in a hitting group with two freshmen and he was telling them what to do, which is something he hasn't done in the past."
Cody Zurliene, who has started since he was a freshman, is now a junior. Last season he hit .357 with 13 RBI and was 1-5 with a 4.54 ERA.
"He's going to be very much like Matt Sellers was last year – he'll be our No. 2 pitcher and whenever he's not pitching, he'll be our catcher," Harpstrite said.
Other players with varsity experience include seniors Kyle Moore (shortstop, outfield) and Tommy Pilackas (left field).
"As a sophomore Kyle hit around .430, and he was all-conference, but last year he went into a little funk," Harpstrite said. "We're expecting big things out of him this year in the middle of our lineup.
"Tommy really came on strong at the end of the year. At the state tournament, he drove two balls off the wall."
Freshman Taylor Schmidt (right field), sophomores Kyle Parker (third base) and Mason Christ (first base) and junior Adam Barlow (center field) are among the players likely to earn starting positions.
"As far as pitching, we have 16 guys on the team, and 12 of them have thrown bullpen sessions this year," Harpstrite said. "We feel all of those guys can go out and throw strikes, so we'll see who emerges as the No. 3 starter. Kyle Moore has a lot of experience, and he might slide into that spot."
Lebanon opens the season Saturday with a doubleheader at Mascoutah. The Greyhounds play Monday at Freeburg.
"It's going to be rocky early on – we may have some games where we look great, and we may have some games where we struggle," Harpstrite said. "You just want to get better every day and hopefully by the end of the year we can make a run at it and make something happen in the postseason.
"We have 35 games scheduled and usually end up playing in the upper 20s, so we're looking at getting 18 wins. If we can get something around that number, it will be a good year for us."
