Normal West baseball took its lumps in the spring of 2023 but a motivated group is ready for a rebound this year.

Coach Chris Hawkins explains despite the first losing season of his nearly 20-year tenure at Normal West, it was a very enjoyable season and he has seen a lot of positive things from his team as they prepare for the upcoming baseball season.

According to Coach Hawkins, each returning All-Big 12 Conference senior brings something unique to the table and has liked the leadership they are providing early on this season.

High school baseball often comes down to pitching and having a good stable of quality arms. Coach Hawkins says ten of his 14 varsity players this year can pitch and has a junior class that will see a lot of players getting innings at the JV level - something he is excited about.

Coach Hawkins calls a year like last year, winning or learning. He points out they play a tough schedule each year to get ready for the postseason where each team makes the postseason and anything can happen.

Normal West opens the season next Wednesday at Rochester. The Wildcats will spend its spring break playing at a tournament in Shelby County, Alabama.