Entering his seventh year at Benedictine High School, varsity baseball coach Sean Ryan is cautiously optimistic about the upcoming campaign. If the Cadets’ performance in recent seasons is any indication, the veteran coach has no worries.

  “We are 51-25 the past three years and have made the state playoffs (top eight teams in state qualify) in five of my six years,” Ryan said. “We reached the state final last year, losing to Paul VI 8-4 in the final.”

  This year’s campaign will offer its own brand of challenges with a group of players occupying positions for the first time. But that’s something Ryan is not unfamiliar with.

  “Similar to last year, we have quite a bit of turnover,” Ryan said. “Whereas last year we had seniors step into starting roles, we have a couple of seniors and several juniors who expect to step into starting roles for the first time this season.”

  Even though the team lost some mound strength but strong pitching performances could anchor a solid Cadet defense this spring. “While we lost our top two pitchers from last season, Zach Joseph, Andrew Woods and Sam Dodson pitched in big situations for us, and we’ll look to them to give us valuable innings this year,” Ryan said.

  Joseph is a powerful left-hander and posted a 2.33 ERA last season with 28 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched.

  “Zach has the potential to be one of the best lefties in our area,” Ryan said. “He has a ton of upside, and if he continues to work hard, he’ll put together a couple of very special years for us.”

  Woods will fill the number two spot and he also has experience from last season, boasting 13 K’s in 18 innings pitched. “Andrew is a big right-hander who has come a long way in a short time,” Ryan said.

  Juniors Zach Matthews (3B/C), Jake Wood (2B/C) and Goochlander Eric Willford (RF) are other juniors on the squad who could provide a spark.

  The team will depend on senior Chris Dyer for leadership behind the plate and on the mound. “Chris is one of the best catchers in our area and helps control just about everything we do from behind the plate,” Ryan said. Dyer will play at Davidson next year.

  First baseman Chris Hogan and outfielder Mark Measell should also offer some senior leadership for the squad. “Mark and Chris have helped us for two years, and I expect both to provide a spark to our offense and invaluable leadership,” Ryan said.

  Goochland resident RJ Barnes is also a senior and will play catcher, pitcher and the outfield and has the potential to contribute immediately. “R.J. has a major-league body and has a real chance to help us on the mound, in the field and at the plate.”

  The Cadets will feature a steady influence at shortstop in the form of senior Teddy Kozak who spent the last three seasons at second base. “Teddy has been an anchor on our infield for four years,” Ryan said. “It’s rare to have a four-year starter, and Teddy has been a vital part to our success as a program.”

  Number three pitcher Sam Dodson and Trey Meyers round out the senior class on this year’s squad.

  The seniors have become accustomed to a demanding schedule that leaves little room for error, and Ryan believes the tough slate will demand focus and endurance. “We play an aggressive schedule where we play an average of three games a week,” he said. “Sometimes, that leaves us playing our third game while our opponents are on their second game and that can take a toll. But for us to win a state title, we would need to win three games in five days, so I believe in challenging our team by playing as tough a schedule as we can put together.”

  Like most schools in the area, the team has struggled to find time on the playing field due to the weather. The delays have taken a toll.

  “The weather has made it tough on every team in the area,” Ryan said. “We’ve crammed a lot into the precious few days that we’ve been able to work out on our field. We’re a little behind our typical schedule, but it helps to have a core group that already knows all the things we teach.”

  The coach is hoping for the same consistency in this year’s squad that he’s enjoyed in the last few campaigns.

  “We entered last year with a lot of new players stepping into key positions, and we reached the state title game,” he said. “This year, we again have a lot of holes to fill with new players. We have a ton of talent, but you never really know how your players will respond until you see them in game action.”

  Benedictine opens against Bishop Sullivan March 13 at The Abbey in Eastern Goochland. Ryan is keeping expectations guarded, but anticipates his combination of experience and youthful enthusiasm will serve the Cadets well in the upcoming season.

  “We’ve been pretty consistent over the past few years, and that’s what I’d hope for again this year. We will be challenged by our schedule, but we have a nice mix of veteran leaders and fresh faces that should help us compete for a berth in the state playoffs.”