Owatonna High School baseball should find out right away where they stand in the Big Nine Conference race as they face a couple of the preseason favorites in the opening week of the season.

Huskies coach Tate Cummins looks at Rochester Century, Northfield and Mankato West as some of the top teams in the league. Owatonna hosts Century on Tuesday at 5 p.m., weather permitting, at Dartt's Park. The Huskies play John Marshall in Rochester on Thursday. The Huskies and Rockets shared the Big Nine title last spring. The week wraps up with new conference opponent Northfield at noon Saturday at Dartt's.

The Thursday, April 9, game versus JM at John Adams Middle School will be on KRFO AM 1390 at 5 p.m.

The Huskies graduated 11 seniors off the 2014 squad. Much of Owatonna's returning experience is up the middle. Junior Alec Holcomb caught about half the games last season. The Huskies have a three-year starter at shortstop with Dexter Leer. Junior Blake Westphal gives the Huskies speed in center field.

Regarding catcher Alec Holcomb, Cummins says:

"...one of the better arms in the conference. Does a nice job blocking."

On starting pitcher Isaac Rocha, Cummins says:

"...at this point looking very good. He's been in the weight room a ton. You can see the extra pop on his fastball."

On the mound, Cummins is looking for Trey Fails, Holcomb, Joey Smith, Alex Emanuelson and Clay Leidall to contribute. Cummins says, "We're going to be a pitching and defensive team." He says the Huskies will have good speed on the base paths.

Listen to Cummins' interview from the Saturday, April 4, KRFO Coaches Show.

 

Here is the interview from the March 28 Coaches Show.

 

Check out the Huskies' full schedule.

Dog Pound banner at Dartt's Park in Owatonna
Dog Pound banner at Dartt's Park in Owatonna
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