Pitching, pitching and more pitching. That’s the theme for the Liberty baseball team this season.

The defending KingCo 3A/2A champions welcome back a full pitching staff from last season that’s better, more experienced and ready to make a deeper run at state.

And it’s not just quantity but quality too.

It starts at the front, with senior left hander John McLeod. McLeod, who will pitch for Wake Forest University next season, went 8-0 in the KingCo last year. He made the all-league first team and had an ERA of 2.10. He struck out 57 batters in 56 innings.

Connor Sjolander and Dan Eck will round out the rest of the top of the Patriots’ returning starters. The seniors both had strong seasons on varsity last year.

“We’re definitely pretty senior strong in that area,” said Liberty coach Steve Darnell. “John had an outstanding year and the other guys had very strong years too. … Pitching is going to be our main strength for the season.”

In the field, seniors Troy Colyer, Nick Hart and Troy Askins will be key. Colyer will shift from second base to shortstop this season.

He made the all-league first team and the all-state second team last season.

Hart will play third and returns as a second-team all-leager. Askins plays centerfield and also made the second team last season.

Those three, plus McLeod, will form the nucleus of the Patriots’ batting order looking to rebound from the loss of all-state shortstop Eric Peterson. Peterson was the KingCo 3A/2A’s player of the year and now plays for the University of Washington.

“We’ll have to be a little more resourceful finding runs,” Darnell said. “The guys will have to swing it well. There’s a lot more experience, so it will help.”

A newcomer to watch is Ryan Maio. Maio is a junior outfielder with a chance to make a big impact in 2010.

Liberty went 20-5 and won the KingCo 3A/2A last season. The Patriots lost to Timberline in the first round of the 3A state tournament.

While defending the league title is on their mind, it’s not first.

“Playing baseball is fun and we want that to be the primary focus,” Darnell said. “But yeah, we’re playing to win. We want to win KingCo. We’d like to make a stronger run at state.”

The Patriots are set to win now: The roster has 13 seniors. Still, Darnell said there’s no undue sense of urgency.

“I don’t feel any sense of desperation,” he said. “It’s a fun-loving bunch. We don’t get shortchanged on having a good time out there. … They don’t get pressed.”