Oakton Baseball To Lean on Returners

In 2011, the Oakton High baseball program had one of its most successful seasons in recent years, earning a postseason title for the first time since 2007. 

The team graduated 10 seniors, including its three captains — Chad Carroll and Chris Hanson, who both play for James Madison University, and Luke Willis, who plays for Coastal Carolina University — who together accounted for a majority of the team's production in their run to . 

At the start of that season, Coach Justin Janis had and see what came of the younger ones as the season progressed.

This year is no different.

Though turnover on the roster is high, Janis has about six players returning who saw a significant amount of playing time last season, including middle infielder Ty Carroll, who has committed to at JMU next year. 

"I expect us to be competitive. I don't know if we have a Luke or a Chad on our team, but we're solid all the way through the roster," Janis said. 

But if one person has the potential to have a big season, it's Ty Carroll, Janis said. 

"I feel like he's going to have a really good year," Janis said. "He's doing everything, preparing the right way and setting a good example for the younger kids."

The team includes four sophomores, all of whom have the potential to work their way to the starting lineup this season with hard work, Janis said.

"They're still developing and learning a lot more about baseball and just getting up to that varsity level, but they're all good players," he said. "I think early on the starters are going to be returners and then see who steps up from there."

Perhaps most uncertain is the strength of the Cougars' pitching staff, with just one of last year's regular starters, R.J. Garcia, returning.

"We inexperienced, but I feel like we have some guys who throw strikes. I think if we can get the pitchers throwing strikes, we have a chance to be successful," Janis said. It's just going to be throwing those strikes, not giving up free base runners and making the plays defensively, and I feel very comfortable with our defensive abilities."

As the season begins today with a 6 p.m. game at home against Yorktown, Janis plans to keep his team focused on one game at a time.  

"I think the big thing is to be competitive. You just want to put yourself in a position to be successful in the playoffs," he said. "We want to take care of what we can take care of and play well each game. I really think from there the results take care of themselves."