With an incredibly successful season in the rearview mirror, the Bainbridge baseball team isn’t letting up going into the 2017 schedule.

This week players are lacing up their cleats for baseball tryouts at the BHS fields. With a core group of upperclassman and a strong group of sophomores wearing the purple and gold, finding the best group of freshman to build on the success of the 2016 season is a priority.

“There is a lot of talent coming back,” said senior shortstop Keith Lyle. “We had a great year last year and a strong offseason in the weight room. We have a lot of freshman coming in that the older players can help guide to continue what we started last year.”

Seniors Lyle, Carson Inlow, Clark Wiggins, Noah Bryant and Conner Strickland helped lead the team to a 21-9 record last season and have two seasons of experience as starters under their belt.

Bryant, who signed a scholarship to pitch at North Georgia in November 2016, will be joining the bullpen. Though starting just one game on the mound last season, Bryant has been training his arm in the offseason and will be ready to pitch this year.

“I’ve been working on command and throwing strikes,” Bryant said. “It’s a lot better than it used to be.”

Will Kelley, a junior, is also a starter that will see lots of time on the mound this season.

Last season, the Bearcats beat Spalding in back-to-back games (6-5, 3-2) to make it past the first round of the State Playoffs before losing to Buford. Plans for this season also have the playoffs in the picture, but Bainbridge players are hoping to achieve even more.

“Obviously we want to make it back to the playoffs, but we would like to win the Region Championship and just win the day,” Lyle said.

Bainbridge is part of the new Region 1-AAAAA of Harris County, Warner Robins, Veterans and Thomas County Central.

The Bearcats travel to Valdosta on Wednesday, Feb. 8, for a scrimmage at 5 p.m., then kick off the season against Lee County on Monday, Feb. 13, at the BHS fields. First pitch is 5:30 p.m.

Stay tuned for more previews on the Bainbridge baseball team.