The Zephyr baseball season gets underway this week, and with the promise of a new season, the quest for a championship begins as they aim for a deep playoff run.

They’ll hope to achieve their postseason aspirations with a good combination of youth and experience. They return six players who saw action on the diamond last year, giving them a solid foundation on which to build. That group includes Andrew Snyder, Owen Fischl, Ben Hudak, Adin Hoderewski, Joe Lisicky and Jake Paashaus.

Among those vets are seniors Hoderewski, Snyder, Paashaus and Hudak. They’ll also be joined by fellow seniors Ryan Schmidt, Kyle Saylor, and Kyle Kralick, all of whom are vying for playing time in the outfield.

That gives the Zephs a strong veteran presence, along with Lisicky, a junior, and sophomore Fischl, who round out their returners who helped the Zephs reach the playoffs last season.

Head coach Shaun O’Boyle said that this season in many ways mirrors what he saw last season as they began their 5A title defense. It’s some knowns and unknowns, acknowledging that once you get by those six returning players, they’re very young in terms of varsity experience.

O’Boyle said that his four returning seniors bring a fierce competitive drive, and that will reverberate throughout the roster.

“They have an intense kind of leadership about them,” said O’Boyle. “They’re very vocal.”

Hoderewski returns behind the plate, and is in the running to bat leadoff for the Zephs. O’Boyle said that Hoderewski has a strong defensive skill set that makes him ideal to handle the challenging position. O’Boyle also likes what the senior brings to the table offensively.

“He’s a scrappy hitter; he hits the ball to all fields,” said O’Boyle.

Snyder will be in the infield when he’s not pitching, playing second for the Zephs. Snyder logged the most innings of their returning pitchers, and is expected to eat up a lot of innings again this year. Snyder also returns as one of the team’s leading hitter, posting a .340 average with nine RBIs.

O’Boyle said that Snyder brings a ton of experience to their rotation which also includes Paashaus, Lisicky, Matt Snyder, Hoderewski and sophomore Ayden Dunbar. O’Boyle also knows what Snyder will give him every time he takes the ball.

“He’s going to around the plate, he’s not going to walk guys,” said O’Boyle.

O’Boyle said that newcomer Matt Snyder is someone to watch. He said the sophomore throws hard and could have an immediate impact as one of their starting pitchers.

Paashaus is another veteran who logged plenty of time on the mound last season. He’ll also play first base, splitting time at the position with fellow senior Hudak.

Lisicky will also be tasked with toeing the rubber, giving them three solid starters in their rotation. Lisicky will also play left field. He batted a whopping .400 last year, knocking in 20 runs. He’ll be a potent bat in the middle of their lineup again this season, looking to build on his excellent sophomore campaign.

Also fighting for playing time at second base will be Dunbar and newcomer Shane Fillman, a junior.

Shortstop will see Fillman and Dunbar battle for playing time at this position as well.

Fischl will man the hot corner for the Zephs, while also backing up Hoderewski behind the plate.

The outfield will have Lisicky, with Matt Snyder also in the mix for a spot in center or right. The final outfield spot is currently a battle between the three seniors as Kralick, Saylor and Schmidt look to claim that spot.

The Zephs will also feature sophomores Luke Gilbert, Samuel Castillo Ardila and Zack Hartman who is still recovering from an injury. Junior Antonio Capille will also look to see some playing time as well this season.

O’Boyle said that the season may put some of their underclassmen in the spotlight, noting that it’s possible that at any point, three or four sophomores could be in the starting lineup.

The Zephyrs will look to get back into the 5A title hunt, losing last year to Southern Lehigh in the opening round.

O’Boyle said that their mission is to get into the postseason. The second season is a place where anything can happen as they well know from their 2017 state title run.

“We’re going to compete hard to get into leagues and hopefully make a deep run in districts,” said O’Boyle.

The Zephs will venture down to Myrtle Beach this week where their season kicks off with a game against Peters Township High School.