It's March again, and Hoban baseball is in the swing of things. The Knights replace several starters who graduated and hope to improve on last year's 17-13 record.

Senior leaders this year include John Blike, Steve Danford, Bryan Fair, Rick Heffern, Drew Sprungle and Robert Wilson. Junior Steve Sheeks, sophomores Joe Bogdewiecz and Pat Swain and freshman Brent Choban also look to start for the Knights.

The team will travel to Tennessee March 27 for a tournament over spring break. This is the third year the Knights have participated in the tournament.

This year also marks the inaugural year in the North Coast League, which brings new and challenging teams in Hoban's path.

Blike outlined the challenges ahead.

"The NCL has some tough teams, like Villa Angela-St. Joe," Blike said. "But I think our toughest game will be our first game, against the defending state champs."

Those defending state champs are the Walsh Warriors, who beat Hoban in the state playoffs last year. The Warriors boast senior pitcher Chris Gacom, a Bowling Green State University recruit.

Danford tries not to think about Walsh's past accomplishments.

"It's a whole new season," he said. "As far as I'm concerned, we're 0-0."

The Knights hope to avenge last year's Jacobs Field loss at Walsh April 4.