Mike Imergoot has a lot to be excited about this season.

In his first year as head coach of the Brentwood baseball team, Imergoot has a young—but veteran—team that's already experienced both success and failure. The Eagles went undefeated (9-0) in the South Central A. A. Conference last year before suffering a 13-0 loss to Valle Catholic in the Class 2  District 4 Tournament.

But Valle Catholic changed its district this year and Crystal City, another Brentwood nemesis, moved up to Class 3.

All eyes are on senior Ryan Jones this season, whose two-seam fastball helped him net a 7-0 record in the conference last season.

"I have high expectations for our team. We have a potentially really good team," Imergoot said.

He carefully stressed the word potentially. Imergoot is known for his positive attitude and overall enthusiasm when talking about his players, but he's trying to keep his team level-headed.

"We take one day at a time. We want to win a game before we win a conference. We want to win a conference before we win a district," he said.

Imergoot expects his pitching staff to set the tone for his team this season.

Jones is the obvious leader. Imergoot said he would have won conference player of the year last season if he had been a senior.

Junior Kevin Smith enters the season as the number two starting pitcher. Imergoot called him the vocal leader of the team; someone who works hard as a pitcher but also plays well at third base.

And senior Ryan Marshall, who plays first base and is a strong left-handed hitter, will fill in as a middle- and late-inning relief pitcher for the team.

The Eagles will open their season at 6 p.m. on Tuesday with a tough game against St. Pius X at Brentwood Park. Brentwood hosts John F. Kennedy at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

"That's a good opportunity for us. You want challenges early in the year," Imergoot said.