"This is probably one of the most experienced teams that I have had in my 20-plus years of junior college coaching."

With nearly 900 career victories, Madison College baseball coach Mike Davenport knows how to assess the make-up of a roster before the season's first pitch is thrown. And when that moment comes on March 14 in Arizona, the 15th year head coach believes the return of key contributors to last year's WolfPack team that returned the program to the NJCAA Division II World Series after a two-year hiatus will be ready to pick up where they left off.

Madison College went 35-22 in 2018, winning the Region IV title to earn a seventh trip to Enid, Oklahoma. Back from that group are 14 second-year players, a group that includes six position players and two pitchers. 

"We return many position players that were on the field last year on the run to the national tournament, and in key spots in the batting order," boasts Davenport.

Infielder Nick Gile drove in a team-leading 55 runs - the ninth-highest single-season total in program history - en route to picking up all-conference and all-region accolades. Outfielders Cam Cratic and Nathan Aide were just as productive on their way to picking up all-conference and all-region honors, respectively, The duo was second and third in batting average - just ahead of Gile - and hits, with Cratic scoring a team-best 47 runs. Shortstop Walker Jenkins and utility player Adam LaRock showed steady progress throughout their freshman year, both at the plate and in the field.

Also back in the lineup is home run leader Jarrett Scheelk, whose seven long balls last year included a three-home run game. The hard-hitting first baseman also could see some additional innings on the hill in 2019 after appearing in five games as a freshman. He would join the talented duo of Matt Hamilton and Brandon Komar as the top returning arms. Hamilton enjoyed a breakout season with an 8-1 record and 2.02 earned run average. Komar went 6-2 with a 3.12 ERA in 18 appearances that included being thrust into some of the team's most pressure-packed late-game situations during the tournament run.

"Matt and Brandon had good freshman seasons for us on the mound, and just need to give us consistent outings as we are young, but talented throughout our staff," Davenport acknowledged.

Among the new crop of WolfPack players are pitchers Carl Renz and Taylor Jansen. Renz is a transfer from Iowa Lakes Community College, while Jansen is a true freshman enjoyed a stellar high school career for the Sun Prairie Cardinals. Helping that young group will be returning catcher Lucas Trebian and incoming backstop Matt Miller. Freshman infielder Derek Lee was also highlighted by Davenport as a likely key contributor

"Miller is an important piece behind the plate. He is a solid defensive catcher that continues to improve each day. Lee will add depth in the infield and brings the experience of playing big games having been a leader on the WIAA Division 1 State Champion Waunakee Warriors. Renz, one of ILCC's top pitchers last year, has always had really good stuff, but he has made great gains in command and control of all of his pitches. We have a good group of freshman pitchers that have shown the ability to compete in the strike zone."

The WolfPack will be tested early with a 12-game, eight-day trip to Arizona to kick off the season. Following an opening day doubleheader at Chandler-Gilbert Community College and a nine-inning affair with Paradise Valley Community College, Madison College plays a twinbill with Scottsdale Community College, who ended the 'Pack's season with a 4-2 decision in an elimination game in Oklahoma. The Fighting Artichokes opened the year ranked #10 in the NJCAA Division II Preseason Poll, one spot ahead of #11 Madison College. The trip also features a contest against #17 Mesa Community College, two games at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, and an exhibition matchup with the Chicago White Sox Arizona League squad. Once back in the Midwest, Madison College three road doubleheaders before the home and North Central Community College Conference opener against defending league champ, Triton College, at Robin Roberts Field.

"As always, we have a tough start to our season with our trip to th Phoenix area. We just hope to continue to get better along the way and be playing our best baseball at the end of the season once again."

Follow WolfPack baseball: Facebook | Twitter | GameChanger