Knightdale — Knightdale returns six players to the diamond for the 2008 season.

The team is also comprised of eight seniors.

"Our entire pitching staff (Cameron Richards, David Gill, Nate Smith and Taylor Sexton) is back,” head coach Joey Worley said. “We have added to it with Michael Green.”

Defensively, the Knights have had their struggles, especially on the left side of the infield. But Worley said they solidified the shortstop position with Green and Evan Arnette.

Gill, Shae Spence, and Tyler Frizzelle will all share time at third base this season, and the right side of our infield will be anchored by second baseman Aaron Blough.

With three out of five pitchers being first baseman, the team will have to rotate a lot of different players to that position, including utility man Landon Talley.

Talley could see time at second base, first base, pitcher, and outfield.

Behind the plate, seniors Frizzelle and Zach Blank will tie down the position. Both have seen plenty of innings over the course of the last two years.

In the outfield, seniors Sexton, Smith, and Aaron Stangland will patrol the ground. Juniors Greg Jackson, Mark Evans and Antoine McLean will also see time between the lines.

“I think leadership can be one of our biggest struggles,” Worley said. “Most of the guys have played varsity since they were freshmen. Familiarity and conformity may breed complacency.”

Worley said the team will have to turn the corner and learn how to win baseball games. He said the foundation is there, but it will all boil down to how each young man works in practice and learn to take pride in the program and respect the game of baseball.

“If we can understand these, the wins will come,” Worley said. “These guys will have to work harder than they every have. This could be a good year for us. Only time will tell.”