PINE RIVER — Pine River-Backus baseball coach Michael Dinnel said he’s “excited to see who steps up” and earns a role on varsity among the many underclassmen on the Tigers roster.
“We have many underclassmen who could earn a role,” Dinnel said. “We have a senior-laden team with many returning starters, but we will have to earn every victory. Timely hitting and consistent pitching will allow us to compete with anyone.
“We need to be playing our best baseball at the end of the season, and the expectation is to be in the conversation for a conference and section championship.”
Last season, the second-seeded Tigers were eliminated by Sebeka 6-0 in the West Subsection 5A playoffs. PR-B finished 9-2 in the Northland Conference and 13-6 overall.
Returning letterwinners are Corbin Knapp, Rian Struss, Irvin Tulenchik, Ryder Compton, Ethan Rugroden, Konnor King, Chance Abraham, Nigel DeSanto, Cash Kangas, Caden Hamilton, Grady Mongan and Eli Abraham.
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Nick Ackerman is an assistant coach of the Tigers, who were scheduled to open the season at Cass Lake-Bena Tuesday, April 11.
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