The Elkins American Legion Post 29 team returns 10 players from last year's 37-12 squad.
Elkins will open up its 2012 season on Monday as it travels to Garrett County (Md.).
Post 29, which finished the Area 5 slate 8-0 last year, has lost in the state championship game to South Charleston the past two seasons.
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The Inter-Mountain photo by Andrew Davis
Elkins Post 29’s Scott Fox is one of 10 starting players who return with experience off of last year’s 37-12 season.
Elkins returns an experienced starting pitching staff that includes Scott Fox, who just finished his first year at Potomac State College. Fox had an 4-2 record with 49 strikeouts last year for the Legion team.
Trevor Mouser, who just finished his first year at Alderson-Broaddus, and Christian Scott, who just completed his first year at Davis & Elkins, are other holdovers..
Mouser was 5-0 last year with a team-leading 2.79 ERA and 49 strikeouts, while Scott was 4-2 with a 4.50 ERA last year.
Also returning is Heath Broughton, who was 5-2 last year with a 3.41 ERA and 46 strikeouts.
"We return a very strong pitching staff from last year," Elkins Post 29 General Manager-President Chris George said. "We're going to need them to have a good summer."
Cody Gainer, Philip Barbour's Andy Green, Brennan Dettinger and Corey Howell also return with pitching experience.
Howell went 3-1 last year with a 4.92 ERA , while Gainer had two wins and Dettinger had one win.
The two returning players in the field with experience are first baseman Caten Murphy and second baseman Ryne Bonnell.
Murphy batted .321 last year with two home runs and 13 RBIs, while Bonnell hit .385 with one home run and 50 RBIs.
Newcomers who could see time as a starter are Colby Gainer, James Gainer, Issac Riggleman, Philip Barbour's Chance Price, Silas Gibson and Pocahontas County's Brandon Hamons.
Ben Lonergan, along with Howell and Dettinger, will be used in relief for Post 29 this season.
"This is the most depth we've had at pitching since I've been here," George said.
"There could be some starters this year who could also see time in relief."
In the infield, Jake Wyatt and Philip Barbour's Doug Smith will be splitting time at catcher this season, while Garrett Riggleman could get some looks at catcher.
Along with Murphy, Heath Broughton, Silas Gibson and Issac Riggleman could see time at first.
Bonnell, Pocahontas County's Wes Felton and Price are battling for time at second base, while Mouser and Tyler Shreve are fighting for time at shortstop.
In the outfield will be Colby Gainer, Price and Christian Scott at left, while Cody Gainer, Fox, Mouser and Lonergan will see time in centerfield.
Cody Gainer, Dettinger and James Martin could also see time in right field this season for Post 29.
"This is t the most depth we have had in a long time," George said. "The kids are going to have to work for their spots if they want to play."
Post 29 is under a new coaching staff with Joe Ross being the head coach, while Adam Fansler and Spencer Webley are new assistant coaches.
Davis & Elkins assistant coach Scott Leach will be the pitching coach, while Lance VanNoy will be the hitting coach.
