Junior Kevin Hawley will be a key man in the rotation for Warsaw this spring.

WARSAW – Warsaw baseball coach Mike Hepler sees plenty to like about his 2014 team.

The Tigers will boast a veteran team with eight seniors on the roster this spring.

“I am very excited for the 2014 season,” said Hepler.  “We have a solid core of returning players and some new players that will contribute greatly to our season.”

Warsaw finished 12-15 overall and 9-5 in the Northern Lakes Conference a year ago. The Tigers lost to Elkhart Memorial 5-3 in a sectional semifinal game at Memorial.

One of the strengths for this year’s edition of the Tigers strength should lie in its pitching corps.

“Our pitching will be a strength, led by juniors Kevin Hawley and Tyler LaFollette,” Hepler noted.  “Newcomer James Poe (a senior) will be a key addition.”

Hawley went 2-3 a year ago with a 3.40 ERA. He worked 38.1 innings for the Tigers.  LaFollette was 2-1 with a 3.48 ERA in 28.2 innings on the hill a year ago.

The Tigers should also be strong up the middle this spring. Senior Peter Shepherd returns behind the plate, while senior Brandon Shipp is back at shortstop. Shipp batted .259 a season ago.

Warsaw did lost quite a bit of offensive punch from its lineup. The trio of Jason Ferguson, Jared Lemler and Shay Hepler all earned first-team, All-NLC honors last year, while Josh Frantz was an honorable mention pick. The quality quartet were four of the top five RBI producers a season ago.

The top returning bat in the lineup belongs to Caleb Moneyheffer. The senior drove in 17 runs last season, while batting .263.

“The team has a good camaraderie and competitive attitude,” Hepler said.  “Each player will be counted on to perform a role that is vital to team success.  Our goals include winning the conference and sectional.  Solid pitching and defense will be important in order to achieve these goals.”

LaFollette is the top returning hitter average wise for the Tigers after batting .370 last season.

The Tigers will also rely on seniors Caleb Heckaman and Justin Oberlin.

Warsaw also has seniors Cody Bixler and Dean Katris, along with juniors Brad Christenberry, Jonathan Murphy, Ethyn Bradley, Cole Baker and Ryan Marshall.

Warsaw is scheduled to host DeKalb in a scrimmage March 27. The season and home opener is slated for April 1 versus Crown Point. The Tigers begin NLC action April 21 by hosting Wawasee.

Senior Peter Shepherd returns at catcher for the Tigers.