With the advent of a new baseball campaign, Whitehall manager Shaun O'Boyle knows that recapturing last year's magical season will be hard to replicate having lost nine key contributors.

But he's not about to accede anything, especially since he has a strong nucleus ready to defend their league title. He said that last year's goal was to earn respect among their peers in the conference, and they did that with resounding success. Now they will look to make sure everyone still remembers them.

"The biggest thing is that this is still a very good team," said O'Boyle who begins his fourth season at the helm.

The Zephyrs enter the season as the reigning Lehigh Valley Conference Champions, a title they earned after posting a 22-3 mark last season.

While they lost aforementioned nine seniors, they still have a strong corps of experienced players on which to lean. In fact, the Zephs have two players returning who earned postseason honors.

Returning for the Zephs will be Jeff Charles, Jacob Meyers, Tyler Bridgwood, and Ryan Bonshak, all of whom were starters on last year's championship squad. Additionally, Gianni Sinatore who spent time on the varsity during the season in spot situations, also returns.

That gives the Zephs a good foundation, and it even gets magnified considering that Meyers was their leading hitter last year (. 440), while Bridgwood was third with a .386 mark.

Right now the Zephs are still trying to establish their starting line-up. O'Boyle said that they've also been relegated to the parking lot for practice, severely hampering their preparation. They haven't been able to get onto the field for live hitting, but once they do, their line-up will become clearer.

The catching position is firmly in the hands of senior Bonshak. He's been a fixture at the position for three years, and last year earned all Lehigh Valley Conference Honorable Mention.

"No doubt he's the leader of the team," said O'Boyle. "He's a fifth coach out there."

O'Boyle said that Bonshak's experience and his ability to handle a pitching staff is a key reason why they'll be a team to reckon with once the season gets under way.

At first base the Zephs will look to senior Matt Melosky to provide them with a solid bat and a good glove.

Second base is still undecided, with senior Adam Miller, junior William Loy and sophomore Ruben "Javy" Rodriguez all vying for the position.

Meyers will play shortstop when he's not pitching, sharing the position with Charles who will split time between the short and the hot corner. Additionally, O'Boyle said that this duo will form the meat of the Zephs batting order, with Charles at cleanup and Meyers hitting fifth.

O'Boyle likes Meyers' potential as a run producer. He said that if the junior can replicate his production at the top of the line-up last year, the Zephs should be able to score runs.

"Hopefully, in the five hole he'll produce for us like he did at the top," said O'Boyle.

At third will be senior Bridgwood, a player who earned all-LVC honors at third and DH. O'Boyle said that Bridgwood is a good contact hitter who can spray the ball all over the field, and has good power to the opposite field. O'Boyle said the lefty is penciled in as their No. 3 hitter.

That group gives the Zephs a strong contingent in the infield as the left side of the diamond remains intact.

The corner outfield spots are areas that will see a number of players looking to establish their claim. In right field senior Richard Yost has the leg up among the candidates, while in left seniors Matthew Hassick and Matthew Rohrbach, along with juniors Tyler Kline and Tyler Cyriax, are all vying for a starting job. He said that once they get onto the field where hitters can face a pitching staff, someone will emerge.

Sinatore will roam center for the Zephs. O'Boyle said that the sophomore has great range, covering "a ton of ground with his speed." He also possesses a great arm and O'Boyle is confident that he will hit.

Last season the rotation was the heartbeat of the team. This year the Zephs will continue with a very strong pulse led by Meyers who was part of that rotation. Charles will also be on the hill, bringing a strong arm and live ball. O'Boyle also sees great potential in Hassick, who will be their third starter, while Sinatore, Melosky, Yost and junior Jacob Fink will see significant time toeing the rubber.

He believes the team will be solid on the mound once again, aided by the crafty Bonshak behind the plate.

Other players who are set to make an impact are juniors Nicholas Delp and Nathan Wechsler, both of whom will provide depth.

As with every year, O'Boyle said the team's goals are to win their division, earn a league championship and hoist a district trophy. Those goals remain constant.

"I think this team can do it," said O'Boyle. "They're working hard every day and it's not been easy to come out here every day and practice given the circumstances. They're a good group."

The team now prepares to leave for Myrtle Beach, S.C., taking part in the The Ripken Experience Tournaments where they'll play Mars High School (PA.) on Saturday.