ABOVE: Front row, left to right. Kellen Fritz, Joseph Hackett, Ethan Darnell, Joe Long, Josh Soelter, Mason Bicknase, Merritt Pomerenke, Tyler Kurt, Owen Terfehr, Luke Haefner, Brayden Williamson. Back row. Left to right: Isaac Stone, Nolyn Goerndt, Joey Crissinger, Vincent Schultz, Preston Geerdes, Jensen Livesay, Reed Johnson, Noah Heckman, Nolan Anderson, Mac Larson, and Eric Determan. 

FAIRMONT – The Fairmont Cardinals are set to take the diamond for another season. Returning all but the graduating seniors from last season, there is no lack of varsity experience on the roster for the Cardinals.

Returning to the field for Fairmont are Joey Crissinger, Luke Haefner, Jensen Livesay, Vincent Schultz, Josh Soelter, Brayden Williamson, Nolan Anderson, Nolyn Goerndt, Joseph Hackett, Joe Long, Merritt Pomerenke, Isaac Stone, Eric Determan, Tyler Kurt and Micah Vaughn.

A few players, Mac Larson, Mason Bicknase, Noah Heckman and Owen Terfehr will also see time on the varsity roster.

The coaching staff is focused on developing the young roster and improving skillsets.

“Focusing on consistency and developing great habits in practice and hopefully outside of practice as well,” said Fairmont head coach Don Waletich.

The Cardinals are focused on developing consistency and honing in the fundamentals.

“Goals are simple,” said Waletich. “Consistently developing fundamentals in practice and the rest will fall into place.”

On Thursday, the Cardinals got their first taste of play in a scrimmage against Martin County West. Which means the coaching staff got a good look at where the team is as opening day approaches.

“It’s early, but you know, we’re pretty pleasantly surprised with several of our pitchers,” said Waletich. “We threw a lot of guys out there to see if they could throw strikes and stuff, most of them did a really nice job. So, yeah, it’s early, but we have quite a few injuries right now, so we’re looking for some help from other guys to step up.”

Since the practice window prior to the first game is so short, the scrimmage acts as a bit of a scouting report, but Waletich appreciates getting a look at live play.

“Seeing live pitching and getting some defensive reps,” said Waletich. “You know, things like that, and base running and things like that. Just kind of getting a good feel for the game because, you know, you don’t get a lot of time to practice per se, and when you start playing games, it’s pretty much what you do. It was a good learning scrimmage.”

The Cardinals are coming off a 14-8 season and currently are looking to build on that success heading into the first game of the year on Thursday when they host St. James for a 5:30 p.m. game.