The beginning of the high school baseball season is underway. The Jack C. Hays Rebels varsity baseball team looks to make a deep playoff run to make up for last seasons avalanche. After a 9-1 start the Hays Rebel varsity baseball team would hit a rough patch as they were swept by district 25-6a champs Lake Travis High School. After that the Rebels would win five out of their next six almost solidifying a spot in the playoffs.

At the back end of the season the Rebels would win only two out of there final nine games unfortunately missing the playoffs for the first time in over 10 years by one game.  The Rebels varsity baseball team will look to make a statement such as last year was a fluke. Two year letterman and senior Nolan Hogan has high expectations for the team. “For this year I expect good attitudes towards each other and the game itself. As for goals expect us to finish as one of the top two teams in district,” Hogan said.

The Rebel varsity baseball team will include six returning starters including 1st team all district second basemen senior Seth Stephenson, 1st team all district center fielder and three year letterman Chase Ruston, 1st team all district pitcher and three year letterman Aidan Martinez, second team all district outfielder Garrison Vaughn, second team all district third basemen Ulises Tovar, and two year letterman junior Zane Liljedahl.

The Rebel varsity baseball team will have plenty of varsity experience including several returning members. The expectations are high for the Rebels as they have worked hard throughout the offseason to eliminate all negativity and laziness. “What separates this team from last years is the energy level and the desire to win,” Stephenson said. The Rebel varsity baseball program shows pride in its hard work and dedication over the years. Things are buzzing on campus as each player shows confidence. “This year we play to not only win a district championship but to also win a state ring,” he said.

Last year’s struggles are in the past but what has stuck around as the players use this failure as motivation. In a tough district the Rebels varsity baseball team will need to surpass two district champions: the Lake Travis Cavaliers and the Bowie Bulldogs.

“We are going to show everyone what a bounce-back season is. I know what it takes to win in this district. Knowing what the 2019 Hays Rebels are capable of, if we play every time balls to the wall we have a really good shot of taking district and going far into the playoffs,” Ruston said.