Photo courtesy of Photoworks Pictured above is the Minneota baseball team. Team members include: Sam Buysse, Landon Rolbiecki, Jaymes Moon, Teddy Pesch, Cole Sanow, Braeden Panka, Grady Moorse, Thomas Hennen, Josh Laleman, AJ Myhre, Tate Walerius, Austin Sorensen, Ben Skorczewski and Carter Schuelke.

MINNEOTA – With weather playing a factor in the early part of their schedule, the Minneota baseball team has had to remain indoors for practices as it prepares for another competitive season after finishing fourth in Section 3A with a 3-2 record in five games played.

Though the inclement weather has provided challenges, 21-year head coach Keven Larson identified some positives to practicing in the gym relating to pitching and batting practice.

“We are just trying to get our arms ready for what we think will be a compacted schedule due to the weather,” said Larson. “Keeping our pitchers throwing every few days is a positive about being in the gym as well as getting some extra batting practice.”

The practice has since paid off as the Vikings picked up a decisive victory over the Lakeview Lakers on April 9 in their second game of the season with senior Landon Rolbiecki on the hill for a strong outing.

Rolbiecki joins Sam Buysse, Ted Pesch and Jaymes Moon as the only seniors on this year’s roster that is made up of quality guys on and off the field.

“The guys that we have in our program are really good guys on and off the field,” said Larson. “I am looking forward to working with them and hopefully keep them progressing in baseball and in their off the field goals.”

After having their previous two games get canceled due to the weather, the Vikings will pick things up once more on April 23 in a home matchup against Yellow Medicine East looking to move to 2-1 on the season.

Leading up to the game and for the rest of the season, Larson is focusing on consistency from his team with a host of new starters getting to see varsity action.

“We are just trying to be as consistent as we can. We have quite a few new varsity starters, so we are trying to get them acclimated to the varsity level,” said Larson.