An experienced Hayfield baseball team won't be knocking down the fences this season, as any move to the top of the Gold Division will come from playing solid baseball and manufacturing runs.

"We're hoping to be over .500 this year," said head coach Chris Pack, "and if we can get decent pitching, we have a chance to win every game."

The Vikings went 6-14 overall and 5-11 in conference play in his first season. They do have 11 players who started at least five games in 2002, including seven returning starters.

Leading this group is senior Scott Thompson, who paced the team with a .375 batting average, 16 runs scored, 10 runs driven in, and 4 triples. He will split time between the outfield and pitching.

Outfielder Cody Hegna will give Hayfield a good combination of power and speed. He hit at a .352 clip while swatting two home runs and swiping seven bases.

Another senior, Jon Amick, will bring his .276 average to the designated hitter spot and first base. His classmate Tyler Kramer will be at shortstop while Bradey Perrigo will handle the catching duties. The versatile Brad Evans, Brock Greenhagen and Cody Schieck round out the senior class.

Among the juniors, George Evjen, Blake Swanson, Jessie Glahn and Scott Anderson will all get a look in the outfield. First baseman Lee Gunderson, second baseman Drew Wanzek, and catcher Tom Brown should also factor into the team's plans this season.

"We're going to be able to score more runs this year," Pack said, "but we're going to have to manufacture them using some aggressive baserunning and bunting runners over.

"We're hoping to be in the top half of the Gold Division this season but we'll have to deal with Lourdes, Stewartville, and Winona Cotter to do that."