Thomas Jefferson Raiders

2016 record: 11-13

Key losses: Bailey Burget (C), Tyson Sonnenfeld (CF), Spencer Smith (2B, P)

Key Returners: Mason Delacruz (SS), Avery Cantino-Kennedy (P, OF), Derek Keys (3B, P, 2B)

Coach: Joseph Townsend

If it weren’t for a tough start to the season, things could have been considerably different for the Thomas Jefferson Raiders last year.

With the way they finished the 2016, the Raiders very well could have been 15-11 and in a better position going into postseason play. From their season opener March 16 to March 26, however, Jefferson lost four of its first six games as well as a key player to a shoulder injury, culminating in a sub-.500 record.

Instead of wallowing in the early-season struggles, Raiders head coach Joseph Townsend said the streak proved to be a blessing in disguise.

“It was good for the younger players to experience,” Townsend said. “There comes a point in the season where they have to understand losing is a part of the game. It’s a mountain you have to climb and achieve in order to be successful down the road.”

Despite the difficult start, the Raiders rebounded to win their next five straight games, bringing their record to 7-4 early in April.

The pitching was in sync and the lineup was scoring runs. Even through the losing, Jefferson kept games close and remained competitive.

The combination of playing well and fixing early mistakes quickly took the Raiders out of the South Puget Sound League Olympic division cellar.

“When we were losing games, we were still in games, playing tough teams, but playing well,” Jefferson co-captain Avery Cantino-Kennedy said. “Then I feel like there was a point where we just kind of clicked and started finishing those games that we weren’t before.”

But the ups and downs of the season ended on a high note in the Raiders’ final game of the season, a 9-0 win over Highline.

The win allowed Jefferson to move on to the opening rounds of the postseason.

It finally put everything, all of the ups and downs, lineup changes and learning experiences together for its statement win.

“That was the big turning point in our season,” Jefferson co-captain Mason Delacruz said. “It gave us the confidence we needed to win games in the playoffs. The confidence was so high, it almost took us to state.”

Heading into 2017, for the first time since Townsend took over the program, the Jefferson coach isn’t sure what to expect.

Townsend said this year’s program is likely the least experienced.

He knows he can depend on the sure hands of Delacruz at shortstop and Cantino-Kennedy to take the mound on opening day.

Outside of his two seniors though, everything else is up for grabs as Townsend returns four players from 2016.

“We’ve got a sophomore who’s physically blessed, but he’s still trying to figure it out,” Townsend said. “He wants to be elite every day, but I don’t need that. We need him to be good.”

Townsend is talking about sophomore pitcher and infielder Justin Maggerise, who returns to varsity after an impressive freshman season.

Maggerise spent summer ball playing in Arizona with some of the best incoming sophomore players in the country.

“I heard he’s been doing well,” Delacruz said. “He’s gained a few miles per hour. I hope that work translates into a good season for us.”

The goal for the Raiders coming into the 2017 is first to discover what they have. The second is to establish unbreakable team chemistry.

The pitching staff looks to be the bright spot in 2017 for Jefferson.

It is led by Cantino-Kennedy, Maggerise and senior Derek Keyes at the top of the staff. Cantino-Kennedy said if the pitching staff can stay injury free, the season has potential to be a success.

Townsend’s message to his ball club this season is simple: Stay focused.

That promotes two things, he said: It ensures players finish games all the way through, and, most importantly, it produces wins all season long.

“With young teams like ours will be, it’s a tendency to not stay focused all the way through,” Townsend said. “Your ability to stay focused helps your ability to win games.”

Jefferson starts the new season on March 11 on the road against Pasco, West Seattle and Auburn before returning home March 16 to host Auburn.