Can the Prior Lake baseball team make a bigger impact this spring?

The Lakers have some talent back from last year's squad that finished 12-10 overall (11-7 in the South Suburban Conference), but went 0-2 in the Section 2AAAA playoffs.

"I like the group we have back," Lakers coach Greg Nesbitt said. "We have a lot depth. They are pushing each other. We have a lot of guys competing for spots."

Nesbitt says he has six outfielders vying for three spots. There is competition for starting spots in the infield as well.

Pitching-wise, Prior Lake has some depth. Nesbitt said the top-three starters look to be seniors Cameron Bunkers and Simen Reestad and junior AJ Lattery.

Juniors Tyler Kelly, Russ Tanner and Alex Watermann and sophomore Jett Heinen are also expected to get some innings.

Prior Lake should be able to score some runs. Senior Ryan McDonald is back for this third varsity season. He'll move from third base to catcher and will hit in the heart of the Lakers' order.

Senior Mitch Goodwin is back at shortstop and senior Derek Kay returns to second base. Senior Corbin Cross is also a strong offensive bat for the Lakers and is back at first base.

Sophomore outfielder Sam Emmerich made an impact last year offensively for the Lakers as a ninth-grader.

"We are going to be a good gap-to-gap hitting team," Nesbitt said. "We have some speed, so we should be good on the bases.

The Lakers are just 5-8 in the playoffs under Nesbitt, who is entering his fifth season at the helm. Prior Lake has never made the state field in baseball.

Section 2AAAA is strong, starting with Eden Prairie, the defending Class 4A state champions. Chanhassen won the state crown in 2015. Minnetonka has five Division I players back and was ranked in the state's top 10 all of last season.

Shakopee was the section runner-up last year and has a good core returning, while Chaska and Edina have always had strong programs.

Nesbitt feels the SSC is the best league in the state. Playing 18 conference games will definitely help Prior Lake get ready for the postseason.

"There's no rest in our conference," Nesbitt said. "Last season, it seemed like we were seeing a Division I pitcher every game. I'm glad most of those guys graduated, but those teams always seem to reload."

Burnsville and Lakeville North have led the SSC the last two years. Both Eastview and Shakopee are also expected to be contenders, along with Prior Lake.

"Our conference certainly gets us ready for the playoffs," Nesbitt said.

The first week of the season looks like it will be postponed due to the winter weather. The Lakers were supposed to open up in league play at Shakopee April 9.

The second week of the season has the Lakers at Eagan April 16 in SSC action. For a complete schedule of games, or to keep updated on postponements, go to www.southsuburbanconference.org.

If that second week gets washed away by the cold or lack of fields being ready, there will be some weeks Prior Lake will have five games in a week or multiple doubleheaders. That can really tax a pitching staff.

"It will be tough on every team," Nesbitt said. "You will find out a lot about the depth of your pitching staff."