As the warmer weather makes its way over the baseball field, the chilly burden of replacing the talent of last year’s seniors is also clearing up for head coach Howard Smack. With promising athletes hitting the dugout and fresh faces willing to make a difference at the varsity level, the upcoming season is shaping up to be a promising one for the Indians, who finished 17-5 last year, slipping to John Dickinson in the second round of the state tournament.

Coastal Point • Jesse Pryor
Trent Bennett reaches for a low ball at second base during the Indians’ practice earlier this week.
“The main thing we need to do is gel as a team,” said Smack, who enters the year for his sixth consecutive season as head coach. “Our guys need to find their own identity. After losing some of the guys we did, we need to decide what type of team Indian River is going to be.”

Last season’s departure of Trevor Abbott left a vacant spot on the mound, but Smack noted that there’s plenty of skill to follow up. Corey Showalter will return for a third year as an Indian River pitcher, while relief from Luis Barrientos – who also minds third base – could be the closing perfection the team is looking for this year. Second-baseman Cameron Travalini will finish out his fourth year on the varsity lineup, as catcher Bo Wilkinson and outfielders Tyree Oliver and Matt McDowell hit the diamond again for the Indians.

“These are a lot of our key players that are returning,” said Smack. Last year, closer Nick Kmetz and shortstop Sean Lewis proved to be vital assets, on both offense and defense. “We’re going to miss the guys we had,” Smack added, “but I think we have other people who could fit the spots.” This year’s juniors, such as Matt Kleinstuber and Jake Buchler, are expected to play a key role in the team’s rebuilding. Smack also noted that there are several freshman prospects who could eventually work their way into the bullpen.

The spring weather may be burning off the last bit of winter, but the region’s recent snowstorm definitely slowed things down for not only the Indians but all area teams.

“The snow that came down was definitely a hindrance,” said Smack. “It’s putting a damper on our preparation. Our infielders and outfield can’t get the reps they need. It will make a difference, but fortunately, it’s top to bottom, even over into Maryland. Everyone’s in the same boat.”

Though the players may have some ground to make up to ensure they are psychologically prepared, Smack is set on readying the team at the plate.

“They know each other,” he said, “but do they really ‘know’ each other? It’s going to be tough. We have to find our lead-off man. We had one of the best in the state in Sean Lewis. Once he got on base, that was almost always an automatic double. We need someone who can do the same thing.”

The Indians will prepare themselves this week with scrimmages against Stephen Decatur and Easton, with whom they tied in their preseason matches last year.

“They’re good teams,” said Smack. “We always enjoy playing Decatur. They usually give us a very good scrimmage. I’d compare it to playing a Milford or Caesar Rodney team. If we can do well against them, it will give us a good perspective of how we can do this year.”

Two years ago, Easton advanced to the state playoffs.

“I was impressed with what they had last year and the year before,” Smack added.

The regular season will kick off on Tuesday, March 24, as the Indians host Smyrna at 4:15 p.m. They’ll travel to Cape Henlopen on Thursday, March 26.

“We have a lot of tough games to open up with this season,” Smack said. “Pitching is going to be key for about a month.”

The Indians will face teams like Sussex Tech, Caesar Rodney and Delmar before spring break.

“Our conference this year will be slightly tougher than it had been,” he said, “but we’ll go game-by-game. We never want to start looking ahead but just look at who we have each week as far as pitching goes.”

Despite Chris Megee and Mark Sewell departing from varsity baseball to coach the Lady Indians’ softball team this year, Smack is comfortable with the returning help he has. Jodi Sweetman, who has been coaching an American Legion team for years and has served as IR’s statistician, will help out from a coaching standpoint with the varsity team.

“He’s been around for a while,” said Smack. “Jodi has seen these kids play since they were really young, and he has a great rapport with the kids.”

Kevin Cordry is also returning and will split duties with Smack, working with the infield and help with pitchers.

“This year, we’re really going to look for Bo [Wilkinson] and Jake [Buchler] to help with play and signal calling,” Smack said. “They know the players and have that connection.”

As for the team’s gameplan, “We just have to hit the ball,” Smack said. “We play the best to be the best. The Indian River baseball program is where I have been dreaming it should be since I took this job in 2003. We’re ranked in the state and even recognized nationwide. We’re finally getting the appreciation our kids deserve. We’ve guys now in Division I and Division III schools playing ball. Division I coaches are looking at our athletes, and our name is on their tongues. That’s a great feeling.”

IR baseball fans can grab a glance at the varsity baseball team as they host Stephen Decatur on Tuesday, March 17, and Easton on March 19, in preseason scrimmages. Both games will be played at the Indian River varsity baseball field at 4 p.m.