We heard from ADM baseball coach Jason Book yesterday as thanked his five seniors for their commitment and efforts to the program over the past four seasons, but today, we look forward.

While it is always difficult to say goodbye to a group that contributed as much as Grant Goeden, Logan Essy, Robby Sloss, Alex Hall and Jackson VerWoert, moving on has to happen, and Coach Book feels he has another solid core coming up that can continue carrying the ADM name as one of the premier programs around.

“We have some young, up-and-coming guys that we’ll be looking at to fill some of those roles.  We’ll put together a plan and see if guys are ready to step in and play.  Those are huge holes to fill when you’re always striving to be strong up the middle and you lose your shortstop and your catcher.  But, the guys will rise up to the challenge and they’ll prepare themselves for next season… We’ll be ready to play.”

ADM will likely have to rely on the front end of its pitching staff to help carry the torch next season, at least early on.  The Tigers will return Sam Kornstad and Ethan Herron in 2015, Coach Book’s #1 and #2 starters.

Joe Sloss, Jake Sloss, Kody Irwin, Logan Lemke, and Zach Ostendorf are a few of the position players that will be back next season.

Lemke will be the Tigers’ top returning hitter average-wise, as the junior rightfielder hit .265 this past season.