Pintos baseball getting acclimated to new coach

First game scheduled Monday

Just as the California Pintos' boys basketball team did this past season, the baseball team will enter this season with a new head coach.

Matt Moulder, who coached the Pintos basketball team to a 17-8 record and a district semifinal game, changes gears to focus his efforts toward the baseball program.

Senior Landon Mouse and sophomore Jacob Wolken have already been acquainted to Moulder during basketball season, but the rest of the baseball team members will be getting to know their new head coach.

"As was the case with basketball, it will probably take a little time for the guys to get acclimated to new coaches and a new way of doing things," Moulder said. "But so far I have been very pleased with the level of commitment and overall talent level."

The Pintos are coming off a 9-11 season, which ended with an 8-6 loss to Sherwood in the Class 3 District 13 semifinals.

Sherwood ended up losing 15-0 to Warsaw in the title game. Warsaw made a run to the Final Four, taking fourth place.

While Warsaw was the clear-cut favorite in districts last season, the Wildcats graduated eight seniors, possibly opening the door for a different title winner this season.

This is California's second straight season in District 13 after playing in District 8 in 2012-13 and 2013-14. The last time the Pintos were in District 13 prior to last season was 2010.

The last time California won a district tournament game was a first-round victory in 2012, when the Pintos played in District 9.

In Tri-County Conference play, California went 2-5 to end up sixth in the league. The Pintos' two conference wins came against the two teams that finished behind them - Versailles and Osage.

Mouse, Hunter Heimericks and Greg Schroeter will be three key seniors for the Pintos this season.

Mouse hit .370 with a home run last season. Heimericks also hit a home run a season ago while averaging .314 at the plate.

Junior Jackson Trachsel and sophomore Kory Stephens also hit better than .300 last season.

The Pintos will have several sophomores and a few juniors who Moulder said will play important roles this season.

"I am really excited about the prospects for the upcoming season of California baseball," Moulder said. "We have a nice blend of experience and youth that should allow us to field a competitive ball club."

The Pintos will start the season Monday at home against Eugene. The JV game will start at 5 p.m. with the varsity to follow.

California lost 4-2 at Eugene to start last season.

Monday's game begins the Pintos' second season at the new baseball facility.

"Of course we will have to work extremely hard to develop our fundamentals in every phase of the game," Moulder said, "but with a beautiful new ballpark and a solid foundation to build from, I know the coaches and players are all optimistic about the potential for a successful season."