They're already off to a good start.

With two wins in their first two games this season, the Moravia baseball team is on about the same path they were last season - which it hopes will end on a better note.

The Blue Devils finished second, behind Lansing, in Section IV, Division III last year and expect to vie for the division crown again this season.

Moravia put together nine straight wins in the middle of the season en route to a spectacular effort that was better than the overall 13-8 record - which ended in the first round of sectionals with a 8-6 loss to Walton.

Even with the losses of standout pitchers Dustin LeFave and Greg Langtry, along with center fielder Jake Wood, the Blue Devils are fielding a strong team this year, that if it remains relatively healthy, will finish near the top of the division again.

Moravia returns their best offensive weapon in pitcher/short stop Justin Stanton. Stanton was an IAC first team all-star last year and the team offensive MVP with a .418 batting average.

Jeremy Stewart (outfield) and Taylor Mackey (third base) will also share pitching duties.

Outfielder AJ Rouse and Mike Drake, who rang up a .333 average last season, also return. With outstanding speed and good athletic prowess, the Blue Devils have the ability to beat any team, but a thin roster of just a dozen and lack of experience on the mound could hurt down the road.

New to the squad this year are Evy Thompson (pitcher, third base), Dillon Langtry (pitcher, short stop), Greg Pasho (pitcher, second base, outfield), TJ Powers (catcher) and Cody Langtry (first base), will give the Blue Devils a boost as well.

Auburn Maroons

In his second year as head coach, TJ Gamba has instilled a new attitude in the team that should come to fruition this season.

With nearly 70 errors committed last year, the Maroons will likely come out a more disciplined club when they open up their season.

The team lost a few key members in pitcher Mike Assman, Brandon DeBagio, JD LaRue and Ryan Gleason, but added the speedy Matt Wild to the outfield, Tommy Locastro to the infield and Andrew Sanders.

With 20 athletes on the roster, depth isn't an issue for the Maroons, especially on the mound.

With a strong work ethic and desire to succeed, Auburn could finish on either end of the spectrum, depending on how the defense performs.

One way or another, the Maroons are focused on improving on their 12-10 finish this season, in which Assman led the squad to a win over Baldwinsville.

Cato-Meridian Blue Devils

This year, the Blue Devils are hoping to build off last season's success, when they finished just under .500, but beat Pulaski in the first round of the Section III tournament.

Cato-Meridian fell to Westmoreland in the next round, but behind the arms of Andy Wegman and Tim Pierce, who graduated, the Blue Devils had realized success that they hope to resurrect this spring.

A close, but character building loss to Hannibal on April 3 could just be the tip of the iceberg for the young but enthusiastic bunch this year.

With a strong pitching and defensive unit, the Blue Devils could surprise some teams this year, despite graduating six players.

Catcher Don Rodriguez is the lone senior on the team this season, and behind the punishing arm of junior Wegman, Cato-Meridian is on the right track. Infielder Preston Dennison rounds out a strong returning unit.

Pitcher and first baseman Brandon Bosco, outfielder Brandon Bardo and Joe Giuffrida are included in the cast of new faces.

Jordan-Elbridge Eagles

This could be a rebuilding year for the Eagles, but if the end of last season is any indication, Jordan-Elbridge could pull out some surprises as the season moves on.

With a rare win over league rival Skaneateles in the last part of the 2007 season, the Eagles finished with some success.

But after graduating standout athletes in Jake Bandera, Nick Chartrand, Matt Willsey and Jim Hayes, Jordan-Elbridge could be in for a tough season.

Second baseman Mike Ryan, outfielder Steve Loerzel and Eli Grauman make up the team's entire senior class. On the mound, Ted Hart proved his potential last season and along with Zach Frost, will look to lead the defense.

Port Byron Panthers

With an 11-25 record (4-13 last season) over the last two years, one would think the Panthers would not have much to get excited about this season.

Wrong.

Despite Port Byron baseball not having a winning record in many years, the Panthers have a shot at one in 2008.

With no big losses from last season, the Panthers come back experienced and excited.

“We will be improved this year,” Port Byron baseball coach Felix Mucedola said. “Most played summer ball, attended winter clinics and open gym sessions in preparation for this season.”

The offseason hard work should translate into a better record for the Panthers this season.

First team all-leaguer Tab Carmon (pitcher, short stop) and catcher Dan Jefferds, also a first team all-league selection, will lead a talented group that includes returning players Jake Bennett (pitcher, third base), Kent Pitcher (pitcher, outfield), Tyler Quanbeck (first base) and Matt Janusz (pitcher, outfield). Tom Giannettino, Andrew Sealy and Jamie Cuff are among the newcomers.

The lack of depth on the mound could be a problem for the Panthers, but they hope to make up for it with experience and speed.

Skaneateles Lakers

After sneaking into the postseason last year and exiting early in an uninspiring loss to powerhouse Bishop Ludden, the Lakers hope to get over the hump this season.

With a new coach in Tom Warner and a roster stuffed with new players, Skaneateles could do just that.

Despite a lack of experience in some areas, the Lakers return Devlen Murphey (third base), Jake Rothenburg (pitcher) and Nick Pesarchick (pitcher) to give the team some leadership.

zack Augustine and Jake Bird are among the new players this season and both will be pitching and playing infield.

John Chapman is also new to the varsity team and will see time at short stop.

“We're in a good league,” Warner said. “This is a hard working team and we hope to be one of the contenders.”

Union Springs Wolves

After an 0-1 start this year, the Wolves will be concentrating on improving throughout the season.

With an extremely young squad, the team's goal is to get down the fundamentals and simply get better under first year coach Mike Jorgensen, who spent the last two seasons coaching at the modified level.

With sophomore Jim Burns (first base, outfield, pitcher) and senior David Wilczek (infield, pitcher) returning to lead the young Wolves this season, the journey should be a little easier.

Justin Lyndaker, Andy Riester and Andy Klock are a few of the rookie varsity players that will be expected to make a contribution.

“Our goal is to be the best baseball team that we can be,” Jorgensen said. “If we learn to do the little things correctly, winning will follow.”

Weedsport Warriors

Under second year head coach Nick Wilson, the Warriors don't plan on letting a little thing like having no home games keep them from achieving their potential this year.

With the new baseball field at Weedsport under season-long construction, the Warriors will venture on a 16-game road stand, which could begin at Cato-Meridian on Monday.

Weedsport is returning all but one starter from last season's 4-14 effort, after short stop Corey Hinman graduated.

The Warriors may be strongest up the middle in catcher Justin Rose, short stop Bryce Leitten, second baseman Jordan Stott, center fielder CJ Chase and pitcher Josh Fatcheric.

Leitten, Fatcheric and Gavin Johnston are the team's only seniors and sophomore David Pratt is new to the team and can play outfield, pitcher and third base.

A lack of depth on the bench could prove to be a problem down the stretch, however.

“We have a very positive outlook this season,” Wilson said. “We have solid leadership and commitment.”