Photo by Jake Przytarski Pictured above is the Minneota baseball team. Front row (L to R): Isaac Pohlen, Carter Schuelke, Josh Schuelke, Peyton Gillund, Cooper VanOverbeke, Ben Skorczewski, Jack Lacek and Ryan Dalager. Back row (L to R): Braeden Panka, Thor Fischer, Jacob Hennen, AJ Myhre, Tyler Gronke, Keaton Jurrens and Peyton Sheik. Not pictured: Joe Voit, Jonah Gruenes, Jayden Gamrak and Kaden Culver.

MINNEOTA — The Minneota baseball team had another winning season in 2019, going 9-6 in the regular season and winning its first three Section 3A tournament games before falling to Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg and Lac qui Parle Valley to end its season.

After not being able to play last spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Minneota will look to make another deep run in the postseason under coach Keven Larson and will have plenty of experience back. The Vikings will have nine seniors, three juniors and three sophomores on this year’s roster. This year’s seniors include Kaden Culver, Carter Schuelke, Josh Schuelke, Jacob Hennen, Braeden Panka, AJ Myhre, Cooper VanOverbeke, Thor Fischer and Ben Skorczewski.

Larson said they were fortunate to be able to get some playing time during the summer and they’re excited to get back onto the field.

“It was tough for them to sit out, especially since the date just kept getting moved back every couple of weeks. We thought we would have a little bit of a season. However, we were able to play some last summer,” Larson said. “They are excited to play, and hope that the weather will cooperate for this year.”

Larson added their experience will be key for them this season and can rely on some players to play multiple positions for them.

“We have quite a few guys that have experience in certain spots in the line up that played last summer,” Larson said. “We also have a few guys that will be able to play multiple positions depending on who is pitching.”

Larson added an area of improvement for them will be getting their outfielders and pitchers more time on the field.

“Our outfield will be pretty quick, but they haven’t played together much, so it will take a few games to work into that,” Larson said. “We have quite a few guys that can pitch, but not a lot with a great amount of varsity innings because of last year, so they will have to work into it.”