Harlandale baseball searching to meet high expectations – mySanAntonio.com

Harlandale baseball coach Eric Forestier is confident that the on-paper Indians will resemble the on-field version soon.

Loaded with 12 returning lettermen, including 10 starters, the Indians have the potential to do great things this season. All 12 of those lettermen earned starts last season.

However, the Indians are struggling early in the season. Entering their District 28-5A opener against Jefferson on March 1, the Indians were 1-3.

“We are putting the puzzle together,” Forestier said. “Having 12 guys who have started at one point in time and only being able to play nine, three will have to sit the bench. I’ve harped on that from the beginning. Everyone needs to find his role. That’s what we’re trying to find out. That’s what tournaments are for.”

Last month’s Harlandale ISD tournament offered the first chance for Forestier to do that. The Indians’ bats have been cold to start the season. Harlandale scored just one run in its first three games.

However, the Indians showed signs of breaking out of that when they were edged by Medina Valley 5-4 on Feb. 26.

“We have to put the ball in play,” Forestier said. “We need to get hits. Our pitching has been good. Our defense has been pretty good. Our hitting has lacked. We’re getting men on base. We just need to find a way to get them in.”

The Indians certainly have the talent to turn things around. Among the returning starters are second baseman-pitcher Timothy Smith, a junior who was an Express-News all-area selection last season. Others include sophomore pitcher-third baseman-outfielder Shawn Tober, junior outfielder-pitcher Nathan Reyes and junior catcher Christian Slocume. All three were first-team all-district selections a year ago.

Harlandale was 14-9-1 overall and finished third in district at 12-4.

“Our expectations for this year are real high,” Forestier said. “We’ve raised the bar because we have a lot of starters returning. …We’re looking forward to the season. We’re looking forward to being in the district that we’re in. We think it’s a competitive baseball district.”