By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The Niles varsity baseball team is loaded with upperclassmen and with the return of 12 players, the Vikes are hoping for a much better outcome this year.
The squad features five seniors and nine juniors, with no underclassmen on board.
Niles finished with an overall record of 8-23 during 2006, and ended 2-6 in the SMAC West Division.
"We need to improve the team average (.258) and the 82 errors that were committed last season," Vota said.
Vota also stated that returning pitchers Mikie Simpson and Jake Ferguson must lead the pitching staff and put on a strong performance at the mound.
Returning this season for the Vikes are seniors Dustin Anderson, Bobby Anton, Stephen Colbun and Tim Hardy. Junior's include Zach Bloss, Ferguson, Dan Holland, Jeff Jurgonski, Alex Welch, D.J. Wolnik and Simpson. New to the roster are Nick Hartman and Taylor Robson.
Vota noted that some key returning players will be Hardy, who had a .358 batting average last year. Anderson had .346, while Welch was .333.
Niles will open its season on Saturday at the South Bend Adams Invitational, which is set to begin at 10 a.m.