A talented junior group and two returning pitchers are looking to pick up the slack left by last year’s seniors on the Concrete baseball team.

Juniors Chris Smith and Derek Rice will make up the core of the Lions, coach Jim Newby said. The two infielders will again play short stop and second base respectively.

“A lot of what we do revolves around those two,” Newby said.

Other key juniors are pitchers Brandon Kales and Seth Rauch, who will likely be the team’s top two hurlers. Both pitchers have thrown for Newby at the varsity level during their freshmen and sophomore years.

“It’s nice having two years of experience already for them,” he said. “Our juniors have a ton of playing experience and they know what’s expected of them.”

Kales said he’s been impressed with the defense behind him during his career, and that won’t change this year.

“I think we’ll do pretty well because we’ve all played together,” Kales said. “I know I can trust them when I’m out there pitching.”

Catcher Sonny Taylor, another junior, will try to fill the void left by graduation.

“You have to have a catcher who can step up and help you out,” Kales said. “Sonny definitely can do that.”

The team’s outfield will consist of juniors Trent Kitchen, Jacob Brigham and Jordan DeZarn, while newcomers Kyler Howell (third base, freshman) and Daniel Schoolland (first base, junior) will be looked to contribute in their first year at varsity.

Other new players on the Lions include Tyler Massingale and Jordan Harris, whom Newby said would contribute to the squad.

Concrete’s defense should be its strong point, Newby said, while its pitching and offense need to improve during the season.

The coach said he hasn’t put together a starting lineup yet, but he said he imagined that Kales and DeZarn would be near the top.

“I’ve pieced together 50 different lineups in my mind,” Newby said.