2015 Liberty Baseball Capsule

Head coach: Garrett Kohler, first season

2014 record: 31-5 (8-2 Southeast, first)

Returning lettermen (starters): Sixteen (six)

Top players: CF Preston Pavlica (Sr.), SS Nick Rush (Sr.), 1B/P Justin Lutes (Jr.), P/DH Trevor Mullaney (Sr.), P Bailey Daguio (Sr.)

Outlook: The defending state champions have plenty of reason for optimism again this year with 16 lettermen back.

Pavlica (.407 average, 30 RBIs, 20 runs), Rush (.353, 27 runs) and Lutes (.328, 13 runs) should be among the leaders on offense with Daguio (5-1, 3.35 ERA) and Mullaney (1-1, 3.15 ERA) back on the mound.

“Even with the loss of seven seniors, including the state player of the year, this year’s team is experienced and senior-heavy,” Kohler said. “This group is winning, and our expectations are to be one of the top teams in town and contend for another state title.”