Having lost 13 seniors and every starter but one, the Liberty baseball team is keeping competitiveness as a focus this season.

“We really concentrated a lot of the offseason on being competitive,” said Liberty coach Steve Darnell. “On what it takes as an individual to compete in a situation and do the best we can. We can control everything up until that point.”

The Patriots (2-0) have picked up a couple of strong non-league wins so far, beating Auburn Mountainview 2-1 and Issaquah 8-4.

Liberty will spend much of the early season figuring out exactly who fits where.

“We lost 13 seniors and a very strong pitching staff,” Darnell said. “That’s not something we’re going to be able to replace this year.”

The team will still have a definite veteran vibe with 10 seniors and five juniors.

“These guys have been very even-keeled so far,” Darnell said. “They persevere over things that go against us. … So far, guys who we expect to perform have performed like they’re supposed to, but we’ve got a long way to go.”

Senior Ryan Maio is the team’s lone returning starter. Maio will start at third base and hit in the heart of the Patriots’ batting order.

Senior Scott Zerda will play centerfield and either hit leadoff or in the middle of the lineup. Senior Chris Weik will start at second base. Junior Jack Brady and senior Jacob Hubbard will contribute. Brady offers a lot of speed in the outfield. Hubbard will start at shortstop.

Senior Jacob Hofferber is the team’s top starter. He’ll be joined by juniors Ben Wessel, Izak Styskal, Blake Reeve, Monte Korsmoe and senior Miles Bruck.

Six of the league’s 3A seven teams will make the KingCo tournament.