R.A. Long

Head coach: Mark Hulings (2nd season)

Last season: 6-6 in GSHL 2A (fourth), 10-9 overall; missed playoffs

Returning starters: *Brady Hulings, sr., SS/P; *Tanner Ruffe, sr., P/OF; Jose Hinojosa, sr., P/OF; Steve Smith, sr., 1B; Ryan Peerboom, sr., 3B/P/DH; Spencer Thorsen, jr., 3B/P; Tyler Messinger, jr., 2B/P

Top newcomers: Morgan Baker, sr., OF/1B; Hunter Jones, so., UT; Will Teigen, jr., C

Staff ace: Tanner Ruffe — A three-year starter, Ruffe followed a solid sophomore campaign with four wins, a 2.16 ERA and 32 strikeouts last season.

Outlook: Much like their football and basketball counterparts before them, RAL boasts plenty of varsity experience on the diamond, but little success.

After missing the playoffs for the first time in recent memory last year, and going 6-13-1 in 2012, RAL’s 10 returners — six seniors — must learn how to finish.

“Last season we had the lead after the fifth inning six times while losing,” Coach Hulings said.