Jaguars Baseball team opens season on April 16 vs. Browerville/Eagle Valley

Two-time defending Section 5A champion Browerville/Eagle Valley will be the season-opening opponent for the Jaguars baseball team on April 16.

The Broncos went 16-12 last season, placing 5th at the Class A state tournament while compiling a 7-2 playoff record. In 2008, the Broncos went 13-9 and placed 6th at state.

The Jaguars have one lone senior on the roster, Darren Wander, but will be bolstered by eight juniors who bring ample varsity experience from 2009.

• In the Central Minnesota Conference this spring, Eden Valley-Watkins has been tagged as the favorite to win the title. They were champions in 2009, going 12-2 in the loop. The Eagles

return their ace on the mound, Tyler Geislinger, as well as some strong hitters. EV-W won the state Division II baseball title last summer, playing until the middle of August.

Pierz was hit hard by graduation but returns some solid players. They are always tough, having won the title in 2008 (12-2) to edge out B-B-E for the crown when the Jaguars finished 10-4.

Holdingford's strong junior class makes them a darkhorse, and they will be very tough for the next two seasons. The same could be said about the Jaguars, too, however.

2009 Central Minnesota Conference baseball standings:
EV-W (12-2, 16-4 overall)
Maple Lake (11-3, 15-6 overall)
Pierz (10-4, 12-8 overall)
Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted (9-6, 11-10 overall)
Holdingford (6-8, 6-12 overall)
B-B-E (4-10, 6-15 overall)
Kimball Area (3-11, 5-14 overall)
Rockford (2-13, 4-18 overall)

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