Pitching experience provides the focus for high expectations at Linn-Mar in 2012.

The Lions finished 22-18 last season, with 19 of those pitching wins returning. Nate Greve (6-1, 3.67) will lead what appears to be a solid rotation that also includes Jake Stolley (4-4, 5.15), Casey Brown (4-1, 4.73), Justin Wyant (2-4, 3.76) and Keaton Blackford (2-4, 5.02).

Offensively the Lions face the challenge of inexperience. They return only three players who had at least 75 plate appearances.

Pitching is the key ingredient, so Coach Chad Lechner will have to rely on the mound early and develop the offense as the season plays out. The Lions have the athletes and will
develop that needed offense.

Key Losses:

Linn-Mar standouts from 2011 included shortstop Ben Larison, outfielder Jordan Stroschein, second baseman Corey Prokop, outfielder Aaron Hunter and steady receiver Jeremy Danover. They were all important contributors to the Lions' winning season.

These players accounted for 168 hits, 125 runs and 168 runs batted in. Their offensive production will be missed.

Key Returning Players:

“Our pitching really should be an exceptionally strong rotation,” said Lechner. The Lions are five deep with experienced hurlers.

They also have Austin Stroschein (1-1), who contributed 19 innings last year. The Lions are high on Devin Bettmann from last summer’s successful sophomore program.

Leading the offense will be smooth centerfielder Michael Redmond (.384, 30 RBIs), first baseman Blackford (.333, 12 RBI) and aggressive Mitch Stickney (.295, 15 RBI), who stroked five homers in only 61 plate appearances. Travis Kvach and Kevin Bogert will return to contend for more playing time as well.

Expected to contribute from the junior class are catcher Austin Banks, shortstop Jack Strellner, infielders Jimmy Roth, Matt Meier, Kyle Mortensen, Nick Jennings and outfielder Brandon Kruse.

Outlook:

The Linn-Mar pitching staff will have to keep the Lions in the games early in the summer, until their inexperienced offense picks up momentum. This pitching staff is more than capable of keeping this team in every game, but it will need to improve on the team ERA to make that happen.

That factored in, they may miss Danover behind the plate early. This team may struggle a bit early on, but has the potential to develop into a state tournament contender. Often overlooked is the fact that they listed 18 players to choose from. Numbers can equate to competition and that is a positive.

Last year's experience will improve that veteran mound staff. They have some solid offensive tools and the younger hitters will improve with reps. Linn-Mar will be there battling right down to the wire with the other Metro programs