Andy Close
Monday’s weather may not have cooperated, but spring was in the air as baseball, softball track and field and tennis teams throughout the county were hard at work on the first day of PIAA spring sports practices.
Many of the teams and athletes have been putting in the work this winter, but Monday was the first time they could practice in an official capacity.
Expectations are high all over the county, including at Youngsville, where the young Eagles’ baseball squad came on strong at the end of last season.
“Our team is hungry to win,” said second-year coach Eddie Dorunda. “A majority of the guys have been putting in work all offseason in order to get to where we need to be talent-wise to compete in our region come game time.”
Because of that work, the Eagles were able to hit the ground running.
“Our first official practice looked like we’ve been together for the last three months and that’s great to see from a coach’s standpoint,” Dorunda said.
Over at Warren, first-year head coach Andrew Morrison takes over a baseball program he once was a standout for.
The young Dragons were raring to go on Monday as well.
“The guys were fired up to go today,” Morrison said. “We’ve been working in the cage for the last six weeks but it was awesome to really get started today. We are doing everything we can to be ready on April 1 since we go right into region play. We’ve got a good group of 25, only two seniors, but we are really excited about this group.”
Track and field athletes were hard at work on Monday as well. At Warren, the boys have a region title they are looking to defend, while the girls hope to reach that goal this season as well.
“The coaching staff and kids are all very excited to get the season going,” said Warren coach Kevin Dustin. “Our returning athletes are already seeing goals for themselves and the season. Our boys are hoping to defend their region title and the girls are chasing one. We have a lot of new faces out that are already showing great potential. It should be a great season for the Dragons.”
The regular season starts on March 25, while boys’ tennis can begin as soon as March 14.
