The Oakville High School baseball team has a strong returning class of eight seniors this season. 

Senior Sean Forbes returns to pitch and play at the infield position for the Tigers, while Connor Gang returns at shortstop and second base. Senior Brady Cook returns to hold down the catcher position, while Aiden Hopper, Roenick Selby and Hank Walton will all see time in the outfield. Bryce Mauer will see time at pitcher and third base, while fellow senior Noah Scheller-Houska will see time at shortstop and second base for Oakville

As far as key underclassmen go, juniors Gabe Huelsing, Adam Kilburn, Caleb Pickens, Jack Werkowitch and Owen Mundy will play significant roles this season.

“We obviously have some other kids who didn’t start last year but will be stepping in to get some significant time this year,” Oakville head coach Rich Sturm said.

Sophomores Aiden Zehnle and CJ Lake will also see time on the mound this spring.

As for the team’s goals on the season, Sturm said Oakville is looking to improve upon last year’s 15-13 record.

“We won a district game last year, and we’d like to get farther than the district semifinals this year,” he said. “We are in a very tough district. It’s pretty packed.”

Sturm said the team has set a goal to win the district championship.

“That’s a goal the guys set for themselves,” he said. “We’re working hard and would like to improve upon last year’s record.”

One of Oakville’s strengths this season is versatility, according to Sturm.

“We’ve got a bunch of people that we can move around,” he said. “In the event (that) someone can’t go, we can fill in from the bench or move guys around from the outfield into the infield or vice versa.”

The Oakville coach also said his team’s pitching depth should be a big asset this season.

“We’ve got some good arms,” Sturm said. “When you look at our starting rotation, you’ve got four or five guys that are all quality arms, but they will do different things. So hopefully, that mix of versatility and guys who can throw strikes and give hitters different looks will bode well for us.”

The Tigers notched a pair of wins over Vianney and Webster Groves to start the season. The team is now 9-9 after beating Mehlville High School April 22.

Sturm said his senior group is very focused and looking to end their high school careers on a winning note.

“Our seniors are motivated each day at practice, and I couldn’t be any happier with that because, at the end of the day, you’re only going to play as well as you practice,” Sturm said. “They have been the ones to really set the tone for the … season.”

Recommended: Oakville baseball 9-9 for the season with win against Mehlville