ARGYLE — Tyler Ritschard takes over an Orioles team that went 6-12 overall last season, and 4-4 in the Six Rivers East.

The team lost two first-team all-conference players: Jayden Johnson, a versatile defender who hit .365 with 15 RBIs, and all-state C/P Clay Ritschard, a 4-year starter that hit .500 in 2021 and struck out 58 batters in 37 innings. 

“There will be a challenge of juggling around positions depending on who pitches,” coach Ritschard said. 

Back for Argyle is first-team all-conference 3B/P Brady Penniston, who hit .412 with a .510 slugging percentage and 15 RBIS. Also back are LF Alex Gilbertson, SS Buddy Gerber, OF/IF Caden Stoeger, OF Thomas Nelson, OF Noah Moen, IF/P Will Helfvogt, IF/P Max Godfrey and OF Thatcher Ganshert.

Overall, the program has 17 players this year, which is higher than in previous years, coach Ritschard said.

“Having those numbers will hopefully be to our advantage on pitch counts,” he said.

Coach Ritschard will have to find a serviceable catcher this spring, as the two 2021 grads split those duties in much of the past two seasons. Coach Ritschard also has goals of competing and improving each game.

He said that the Six Rivers East will likely come down to Pecatonica and Barneveld, a thought shared by other coaches throughout the conference.

“Pecatonica won the conference title last year and lost small numbers to graduation,” he said. “Barneveld has solid pitching and made a sectional appearance last season.”