After going a very un-Madison like 4-22 a season ago, veteran baseball coach Doug Rickert who begins his 15th season will have experience returning at almost every position along with ten lettermen.  Coach Rickert (271-127) says despite the rough road in 2012, the schedule will still be a tough one with the likes of New Albany, Brunswick, St.Ignatius, Midview, Norwalk, Perkins and Fredericktown all on the non-conference slate. 

The ten returning letter winners from a season ago include Eric Brown, Dalton Fix, Brett Shields, Alec Gowitzka, Bo Curvin, Blake Lampert, Kyle Blust, Alec Keen, Kyle Galco and Hunter Ackerman.  Galco and Ackerman played as freshman last year.  Rickert also comments that he has six good arms he'll be leaning on, but adds he does not have that one big "stud" pitcher he can go to.  He also comments his team needs to hit the ball better. 

As far as the OCC favorite, Rickert says state semifinalist West Holmes is the front runner along with Ashland and Lexington as the teams to watch.  The Rams open the season at home on Monday, April 1, against Mt.Vernon.