The senior trio of Hunter McGee, Layne Ward and Dayton Smith will be counted upon by secondyear Gore Pirates baseball coach Tyler Lewis to lead the way this spring season.

The Pirates were 20-10 a season ago, and return 10 members from last year’s squad, led by shortstop/ pitcher McGee (.389 batting average last year), first baseman Ward (.310) and pitcher/outfielder Smith. Smith will be the ace of the pitching staff, while McGee is the leading returning hitter from a season ago.

The rest of the returners are junior utility players Ayden Cox and Duane Hunt III, sophomore outfielder Madden Smith, sophomore catcher/pitcher Tate Brooksher, sophomore infielder Waylon Gilley, sophomore infielder/catcher/pitcher James Brasuel and sophomore outfielder Logan Markou.

The rest of the roster is comprised of freshmen — pitcher/outfield Keiden Denton, outfielders Dane Gates, Shelby Raines, Keeton Rowe and Cruz Ward, first baseman Kyler McGee and infielder Clayton White.

“The Gore Pirates will be led by three seasoned seniors that will be matched with a solid, young core,” said Lewis, whose team was slated to begin the season Friday afternoon at home against Talihina. “We are looking forward to competing and getting better every day.”