ShawneeDispatch.com

If Shawnee Mission Northwest baseball coach Rich Kuzydym has his way this season, no catcher in the Sunflower League will rest with Cougar runners on base.

Kuzydym plans to use a combination of team speed and contact hitting to give other teams headaches when the Cougars are up to bat. To that end, he points to the return of six proven seniors, many of whom will be set loose on the base paths this spring.

"We've got some real good team speed," Kuzydym said. "We'll be patient at the plate and wait for our spots. We won't back down from anybody."

Kuzydym's desire for aggressiveness on the base paths originates from the return of two proven contact hitters, Cooper Liggett (1B) and Jason Enyart (RF), who both hit over .380 last season, proving their ability to get things started offensively both early and often.

Starting catcher Drew Madison (Sr.) also returns from last year's squad, as does starting left-fielder Zach Hasty (Sr.). Hasty's return, however, is on hold due to a knee injury that will keep him from cracking the Northwest lineup until at least the beginning of April. Both of these starters are being counted on to advance speedy Cougar runners once they're on base with a combination of sharp and smart work in the batter's box.

In addition to the senior corps, Kuzydym anticipates big years from juniors Matt Lagree (C), Brandon Cox (SS) and Parker Amos (CF). Cox's role defensively may prove to be bigger than the rest as he tries to help compensate for the loss of graduates Andy Anderson and Bobby Domsch. Domsch and Anderson helped form a formidable defensive unit that sealed up the middle of the infield.

The heart of the pitching corps appears set halfway through spring practice as senior right-hander Kyle Bates leads a squad that features fellow righties Jake Maurer (Sr.) and Kevin Bamberger (Jr.). Bates will start the rotation for the Cougars and will offer opponents a tough task due to his control, command and competitiveness.

Kuzydym's main concerns for his team this year lie not only in replacing the void up the middle left by Anderson and Domsch, but also in finding which underclassmen former junior varsity players are ready to step up and take the few remaining varsity spots. The opening-day roster is not set, and Kuzydym still has two players battling out for a remaining starter's spot.

Once the roster has been set, the Cougar's attack on the regular season -- and the Sunflower League -- can begin.

"In order for us to succeed, we're going to have to pitch really well and play good defense," Kuzydym said. "The Sunflower League is the toughest 6A league around. It's got Free State, Lawrence, the Olathe schools. But I think we'll be competitive in the league. We'll go after them."

Northwest opens the season Thursday, March 31 at Olathe South. The first pitch is set for 5:30 p.m.