High expectations await the 2013 Maverick baseball team after going deep into the Regional playoffs last season. After losing 12 seniors from last year, the Mavs are back and ready to start where they left off.Preparation for the season began right after last season ended for players as they worked improving their play every day. After a long off-season it’s time for the Mavs to show what they have accomplished.
“I try to hit in the cages a lot during the off-season, trying to work on the simple things of hitting,” senior Austin Hinkle said.
The hitting of the Mavs will be their main strength on the field as they have some good bats coming back. Seniors Matt Tobolka, Tim Hunter and Hinkle all bring big bats to the plate for the Mavs. In addition, the Mavs have solid juniors who could make an impact at the plate. Max Adler and Cameron Terrell will be the two big bats in the outfield for the Mavs.
New competition also awaits the Mavs in this new year with Hendrickson and Cedar RIdge both moving up to the 5A level.
With each new season, there are those teams that the fans and players look forward to facing, or that one game in which they have in their minds all season long.
“I look forward to facing Round Rock because we had some good swings against them last year and they are going to try and come back to take us down,” Adler said.
The Mavs have looked strong out of the gate with a good win against Temple to open up their season. The winning effort was guided by Tobolka and Hinkle, who both took Wildcat pitchers deep in the game. Junior Clayton Haag started on the mound for the Mavs and held a strong presence, striking out eight batters through three innings of work.
The 2013 campaign will kick off for the Mavs on Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. as they face off against Southlake Carroll at McNeil High School.
