Cassie Campise is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover McClintock High School for AZPreps365.com

 A positive attitude and confidence in each other are going to fuel the McClintock Chargers baseball program this season. 

 “This year’s team wants it more, our attitudes are a lot higher, our skills are a lot higher and there’s a bond between us,” senior first baseman Caleub Bueno said.

Bueno is a returning varsity player who was an honorable mention honoree from last year’s 5A Northeast Valley Region.  

He is aware of their tough region, with teams like Notre Dame, Horizon, and Cactus Shadows, but believes if they “can get past them,” then they’ll be all right. 

Junior shortstop Matt Sanders is also looking forward to starting the season off strong.  

“We are a young team, a ton of sophomores, a few freshmen. As long as we focus on keeping our heads down, keep it in the box and making the routine plays, we will be fine,” Sanders said. 

Not only that, but he said a handful of the players feel like they fit in better as a team and the coaches are more confident.

“Attitudes are overall better, bats are better, and we put way more work into our field,” Sanders said.

Sanders is most looking forward to playing Horizon this season. 

“They are defending state champs, so if we could hold our own against them then that’s all I could ask for,” Sanders said. 

McClintock head coach Larry Patterson is looking forward to seeing how well they can play in the 5A Northeast Conference.

Patterson says last year their conference had many of the state qualifiers and the state champion. He knows they have their work cut out for them but can hopefully compete against them. One of the biggest challenges they will face is not getting too down if they lose. 

“We need to stay positive by practicing hard and knowing that you can make the plays,” senior outfielder Aiden Penry said. “You might not make them one game, but you’ll make them the next game.” 

He also said the team's hitting has improved from last year and his players will be more confident at the plate. He is most looking forward to playing Cactus Shadows for revenge from last year following a walk-off loss.

“We have been working and throwing in the offseason quite a bit,” Patterson said. 

This team has “better speed this year than before” and “we plan on utilizing that,” he said. 

The Chargers will participate in the 2020 Tomas Pinon/Matt Huffman Memorial Tournament starting Wednesday through Saturday. They start their regular-season schedule at home on Monday at 3:45 p.m. against Marcos De Niza. 

“That should be a game we really shouldn’t have to ask much to get them ready,” Patterson said. “Emotionally, they’ll be ready I believe.”