For a young Renton baseball team, it’s all about experience.

The Indians have no seniors and will struggle at times this year. But things are trending up.

“We’re really pretty optimistic,” said Renton coach Mike Johnson. “We’re going to be loaded with juniors and seniors next year. Things are looking up.”

Renton has 26 players and a JV team this season, which is definitely another positive sign. When Johnson took over before the 2007 season, there were 12 players and Renton had not had a JV team for more than a decade.

Renton went 2-16 last season, finishing last in the Seamount. For a program struggling to edge upward, Johnson measures success differently.

“We can’t be expected to make the state playoffs every year with the numbers we get,” he said. “Just having these kids improve as a team together and go out and get the wins we should get, that’s the goal.”

Junior catcher Luke Bartlett will be a key managing the Indians’ young pitching staff. Junior pitcher and first baseman John Nobis, junior outfielder/pitcher Kendrick Billon, sophomore shortstop/pitcher Oliver Billon and sophomore second baseman Michael Weaver are other players who will help to figure out the Indians’ level of success this season.

Key newcomers are freshman Donovan Saario, who pitches and plays centerfield, and sophomore T.J. Mattingly.

For the Indians to take the next step into contention, they will have to get a few unexpected contributions.

“We’re going to need to find a few guys someplace,” Johnson said. “We have a pretty good core group of kids and we’re hoping somebody else emerges. … If I can get a couple of kids to surprise us you never know.”