After a season of dreams for the Manhattan High boys baseball team turned into a nightmare last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 season is finally here and players will be back on the diamond for the first time this decade. 

“It feels great [to be back] after having last year cancelled our team this year we’re for sure ready to get after it,” junior Cade Perkins said. “We open the season next Thursday and can’t wait to get to compete against one of the best teams in the state in the first doubleheader.”

The first game comes against one of Manhattan’s biggest rivals in the Centennial League, the Seaman Vikings. The trophy could very well end up in the hands of one of these two teams as it does most seasons.

This year, the Indians have high expectations and many goals, one being the state championship. Many of the players believe it’s a real possibility and that it’s just a matter of whether or not they put in the work to do so.

“We are very confident about this year, the whole team and staff,” Perkins said. “We obviously hope to win state and we have a very good chance. We’ve been working hard every day we can to ultimately achieve our goal.”

Perkins stated that besides the toughest match-up with Seaman to kick off the season, the team will be favored and should win every game up to the playoffs. Around the team, they know what they’re capable of. They know they have the talent and expertise to do well and that it is just up to how bad they want it. 

“Well of course we have to pitch the ball well,” senior Dayne Aschenbrenner said. “Walks are a killer, but I really think it’s going to take some stellar defense to put us over the top.”

The Indians are ready to go for Thursday’s clash with Seaman at home, and are ready to play some ball. As for the competition, the first doubleheader with the Vikings will be a big game in determining the season.

“We just have to focus on us, do the little things right and limit mistakes,” Aschenbrenner said. “If we do that we should be right there in the game with them in the seventh inning and at that point all it takes is one play to win us a ball game.”