Effingham High School baseball certainly has some pitching to replace, but a core group of returning seniors and juniors have 10th-year coach Chris Fleener's club looking to be competitive in a tough Apollo Conference race.

Curran McNeely and Trey Kistler were fixtures in the starting rotation for most of the Flaming Hearts' conference doubleheaders last year and both have taken their talents to the Lake Land College squad this spring.

Now, it will be up to junior righthander Chad Green and senior Tyler Ohnesorge to keep that 1-2 punch intact.

"Chad will be pitching when he isn't playing first base this year," said Fleener, who has five seniors, nine juniors and one sophomore on the current varsity roster. "He had a good year batting last year and I feel he'll help us this year as well in the middle of the lineup.

"Ohnesorge gave us some good innings on the mound a year ago, and hopefully he'll be one of our conference pitchers this year. He'll see time in the outfield when he isn't pitching."

Senior Derek Meinhart, who has already signed on to play at Lake Land next season, is Fleener's only two-time letterman back in the fold and the middle infielder is doing his part for the team by taking over at the catcher position.

"Meinhart will also find himself hitting around the top of the lineup," said Fleener of his Lake Land recruit. "He's a nice hitter and will still possibly play some infield."

Another senior who should have some added impact from a year ago is Austin Mahaffey, who has taken a lot of batting cage swings over the winter months and also did well as an inning-eating reliever for the Effingham Post 120 Senior Legion team last summer.

"Austin will spend much of his time at second and third base," said Fleener. "He'll also see some innings on the mound. I feel his hitting is good enough to put him into the middle of the lineup anywhere between the No. 3 and No. 5 spots."

Billy Cook and Ryne Gartner are the other two EHS seniors.

"Both of these guys are hard workers and will be fun to watch," said Fleener. "They'll see some time in the outfield and Cook will get a chance behind the plate, as well."

Besides Chad Green, three other juniors are returning letterwinners; they are Chase Green, Cody McCollum and Brad Reedy.

"Chase hit leadoff and played second base last year," Fleener said of Chad's twin brother. "He'll help us out at the top of our lineup this year as well. He'll be playing shortstop and second base along with a few innings on the mound."

McCollum did a nice job in a part-time role last season and will move into the infield this year and probably pitch some, too.

"Cody has a pretty good stick and will find himself in the middle of the lineup," said Fleener. "Reedy will be looking at some time in the outfield."

Juniors on the varsity club for the first time include: Dylan Huey, Mike Gadberry, Mitch Wohltman, Cody Harpster and Ben Rounds.

"Tyler Pilcher is currently the only sophomore up on the squad," added Fleener. "I have nothing but good things to say about these new players; they're working very hard and are fun to be around. They all have positive attitudes and respect each other, which allows them to have fun and learn at the same time."

McNeely and Kistler were just two of several seniors to graduate off last year's club; Kenny Harris and Mitch Frey did virtually all the catching a season ago, while outfielders Geoff Hecht and Jeremy Grewell also graduated along with Ryan Engel and John Dial.

As mentioned, the Apollo is going to be a load.

"I see all the Apollo Conference teams being very, very tough this year," said Fleener. "And I feel the other teams on our schedule are going to be solid as well. This will be a fun year; we'll see some good teams as the area is blessed to have some good baseball."

Olney seems to be the prohibitive favorite to repeat as Apollo champs, returning most of the talent from last year's sectional final run. Mount Zion always seems to be tough, while Salem has generally been a tough matchup on the conference's opening weekend.

"Our team's goal is first to win conference and then a regional as usual, but our goal is also to gain some knowledge and enjoy life through game experiences," said Fleener.

EHS opens its season today at Vandalia and also travels to Mahomet-Seymour Thursday and Altamont Friday.

As always, the Hearts open the Apollo season against Salem in an 11 a.m. Saturday doubleheader. Salem hosts this year's twinbill; EHS finally plays a home game Wednesday, April 1, against Shelbyville.

Dustin White can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 123 or dustin.white@effinghamdailynews.com.