The Settler

Issue date: 2/11/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Kristen Salter The Pioneer baseball team gears up for the season during practice Friday.

This year, the Volunteer State Community College baseball team will try to get over the hump and win their conference championship.

The Pioneers ended last season with a tough loss in the conference championship.

"We played a good game but they just got a couple more big hits than we did," said Coach Mike Crossland.

There are eight players returning to the starting line-up this year which is a big advantage in college baseball.

"You can't replace experience, it's very hard to win in our league with freshman," said Crossland. "When you can send eight to nine players out there with experience it helps you get better a lot quicker. Our goals will never change as long as I am here, and that's to win our conference, win our conference tournament and get to the World Series."

Vol State has been to the World Series twice and was one game away from winning in 2001.

The players' expectations are high as well.

"If we can play as a team and come together, then we can win it all," said freshman pitcher Jordan Smith.

"No question about it. We definitely have some guys that can play in the minor leagues," said Crossland.

When asked if the Pioneers can compete with "big-time" Division-1 programs, Crossland replied, "Absolutely, if this team stays focused they will be hard to beat, but it all comes down to execution."

The goals are high for this year's baseball team and they are working hard to achieve them. The first home game for the Pioneers will be at 1 p.m. on Feb. 13 against Mid-Continent.

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