The last time the Manhattan High baseball team took a Spring Break trip to Arizona in 2014, the Indians made the 6A state semifinal.

The team took the trip this year.

But this year’s team, albeit ready to embark on the 2016 campaign, looks a lot different. The 2014 team was made up almost entirely of seniors, while this year’s team is less experienced, with just seven seniors, only four of whom have played at the varsity level.

Still, though, head coach Don Hess feels confident about the amount of experience he has heading into Friday’s season-opener at Topeka High.

“It seems like the years that we [take the trip], we end up having a pretty good year, and I don’t know if there’s a connection there or not,” Hess said. “We have some guys that have played some competitive ball outside of school too, so for us, we feel like experience-wise, we’re OK. But with any team, there’s going to be a point where the team decided just how good they want to be.”

The trip to Arizona allowed the team to see spring training games featuring the Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Angels, as well as to grow closer together as a team, something senior Tanner Holen hopes will benefit his team as the season wears on.

“[I’ll take away from the trip] coming together as a team more, and knowing everybody’s strengths and weaknesses,” Holen said.

The Indians may have a taller flame in the competitive fire category this year, senior outfielder Josh Chapman explained. He pointed to this team’s chemistry, as opposed to last year’s team, which came a game away from state.

“Last year, we really struggled with bonding and team chemistry. We really didn’t have good team chemistry, and I think that’s partially why we were so bad,” Chapman said. “So I really want, this year, our team to be bonded more than it was last year.”

Another difference in this year’s team is that the Indians will not PO anyone, or pitcher-only. Instead, the team will be lined with players whose versatility Hess is optimistic about.

“Our versatility is outstanding,” Hess said. “Our versatility has got to allow us to arrive at a lineup that is skilled at each position, not just because they can play there.”

In terms of said positions, the infield will feature senior Tanner Holen behind the plate and junior Chance Henderson at third base. The rest of the infield, Hess said, will be determined by the results of the opening few contests.

“We may two or three weeks into the season before we know,” he said. “We’re going to platoon some people early on and see what they can do. We’re hoping that we have some guys step up and claim those other spots, rather than win by default.”

On the mound, the Indians will lack a consistent, overpowering arm, like last year’s in Jesse Steinbring. Alternatively, Manhattan will opt for a group of pitchers, which includes Chapman and junior Nick Wohler, that Hess hopes will eat up innings.

“We feel like we have five or six guys that can get people out. What we don’t have is a showstopper like Jesse Steinbring from a year ago,” Hess said. “Our guys are going to have to grow up quite a bit. We played some young guys last year in the field and on the mound, and we’re only going to go as far as their improvement. If they’ve taken steps forward, then I think we can be successful on the mound.”

In terms of the team’s identity, Hess is looking for a team unafraid to be aggressive.

“We’re going to have to hit. We’ve emphasized hitting quite a bit this year,” Hess said. “We’re going to have to be scrappy; we’re going to have to steal bases…. The popular term now is ‘dirtbags.’ We want guys that are willing to sacrifice for the good of the team.”

The Indians have their first shot at success on the mound — and around the diamond — in Friday’s season opener at Topeka High. Hess admitted he doesn’t know much about the Trojans heading into the twinbill, but since the Indians split with them a year ago, it will be a doubleheader Hess hopes to sweep.

“The only thing I know is that we split with them last year,” he said. “Anybody that we lost to a year ago, I’ve circled on my calendar.”