Washington was easily the youngest team in the Metro last year and it looks to be more experienced this season.

Coach Tony Lombardi and his staff are rebuilding a program that is rich in tradition, and they are doing it the right way. While they were young, there was not a team that competed any harder than the 2012 Warriors.

Grant Dostal and Robert Hogg, the only two players who graduated from last year's team, accounted for 61 innings on the mound. A big question mark regarding this year’s roster is A.J. Puk, who is considered one of the top prospects in the nation and has choices to make about where he wants to play ball this summer.

“We would honestly love to have A.J. playing with us. That said, I just want to support A.J.,” said Lombardi. “The decision is A.J.’s to make and I trust that he will do what is best for his development. I honestly don’t know.”

Puk began practicing with the Warriors when drills began last week.

Returning for the Warriors are nine other letterwinners. Seniors Zach Christensen, Jacob Hand and Noah Dostal combined for 72 innings on the mound and juniors Matt Troendle and Chris Harrington put up 72 more.

The mound will reflect experience, and that is the groundwork for successful pitching. Senior Noah Burdt and freshmen Trevor Thulin and Johnny Dobbs are also expected to contribute to an experienced pitching staff.

Shortstop Dostal (.342) and third baseman Dobbs (.333) will solidify the left side of the infield. And with Troendle (.260) patrolling center field, they will provide a nucleus for the defense and lead the Washington offensive attack.

We can expect senior Zac Gillis to play an important role in this summer’s campaign as well.

Newcomers expected to contribute this season are junior catcher Nathan Metzger, sophomore outfielder Landon Akers, freshman outfielder Alex Herzog, and eighth graders Rocky Lombardi and Oliver Martin.

With seven seniors and 10 juniors on this year’s team, Washington will certainly not be as young and inexperienced as it was last summer, but they are expecting a sophomore, three freshmen and two eighth graders to make important contributions.

The experience and their competitive nature will provide the Warriors with more success this summer. More importantly, the youth movement is providing a foundation for greater things to come.

Lombardi and his staff are committed to fundamentals and they will be successful in putting Warrior baseball at the highest level.