Although the baseball team graduated six PIL All-Star players last season, second-year head coach Brian Grant has no doubts that this year’s team is ready to step up.

“We lost a lot of quality ballplayers,” said Grant, who played professional baseball for 10 years. “But with the work ethic and dedication I’m seeing from this team, and the way seniors this year are leading the program, we’re not only going to do well, but exceed and surpass expectations.” Lincoln tied for third with Wilson in the PIL last year.

The team has a deep pitching staff and six returning varsity players.

“This is our second year with the new head coach, and so we’ve really gotten adjusted to his style of coaching,” said senior captain Kendall Davis, Lincoln’s ace pitcher who received PIL All League honorable mention in 2005. “[Grant] is definitely a pitching and defense kind of coach.”

Along with Davis, seniors Paul Partlow and Brock Schroeder are expected to lead the Cardinals. Schroeder, also a captain, plays first base and shortstop, and was a second team All League pick last season. Partlow plays right field, and both seniors share pitching responsibilities.

Grant says other key players in the team’s success will be junior third baseman Clark Evans and senior first baseman Keith Shafer. Junior Dylan Faino, a shortstop who had the highest batting average in the PIL last season, is currently injured but is also expected to contribute greatly to the Cardinals later in the season.

Lincoln’s depth will be put to the test in a week-long tournament in Arizona over spring break. It will be up against teams from Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, and California.

A final varsity roster for PIL play has yet to be determined, and Grant estimates that 23 athletes have the potential to play varsity. They will be heading to Arizona, and after watching his players in game situations, Grant says it will be a little easier to define the JV and varsity teams.

“The guys are putting me in a tough situation as a coach,” Grant said. “They’re all working so hard that it’s making it tough on me to make those kinds of decisions.” But as a coach, it’s definitely a good problem to have, he said.

The Cardinals’ first PIL game will be at Madison April 3. Madison and Grant are anticipated to be Lincoln’s biggest competition this season.