Woodbury Baseball Team Looks to Rebuild

As the baseball team looks to improve upon last year's .500 record in the competitive Suburban East Conference, coach Kevin McDermott says the team will have to rely on some up-and-coming players.

Last Season:  10-11

Conference Record:  9-9 (tied for sixth in Suburban East Conference)

Section 4AAA tournament:  lost to 9-1

The Woodbury Royals enter the 2011 season light on experience, losing several players from a senior-laden team, including All-State catcher Colin Keefe and Jason Eddy, both of whom played in the Minnesota Lions All-Star series at the end of last season. The Royals return only two players who were regular varsity contributors in 2010.

Last season ended with a first-round section loss to conference and intra-city rival East Ridge. But Coach Kevin McDermott is looking forward to this season.

“I like the core of players that we have,” he said. “I think we have a varsity team with almost every kid claiming baseball as their primary sport. There is a lot to be said for that.”

Key Returning Players

Senior infielder/pitcher Mike Policano and junior third baseman pitcher earned All-Conference honorable mention. McDermott also looks for contributions from senior catcher Austin Fleishhacker and senior outfielder Sean Scanlon. He will also count on varsity newcomers Chase Loneti (outfield), Chris Hofacker (shortstop) and left-handed pitcher Jacob Roerick.

Conference Outlook

McDermott expects the Suburban East portion of his team’s schedule to be a challenge.

“The conference is going to be very tough this year,” he said.

Both Forest Lake and Stillwater made the Class AAA state tournament last season, and Cretin-Derham Hall is a perennial power. McDermott said East Ridge and White Bear Lake will also have quality teams.