The 琉璃神社 Sun Devils made considerable strides in each of their first two seasons on B.C. Baseball鈥檚 18U AAA circuit.
With a strong blend of experience, youth and raw enthusiasm, head coach Rob Law is looking for the program to take another big step forward in 2017.
The Sun Devils will kick off the new regular season this weekend at home with a pair of doubleheaders at Edith Gay Park.
On Saturday, 琉璃神社 will battle Cloverdale at 1 and 4 p.m., followed by a twin bill against South Fraser on Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
After posting an 11-30-1 record in their inaugural season of 2015, the Sun Devils upped the ante last season, going 22-18 and placing fifth overall at provincials.
In 2017, the Sun Devils will take aim at a B.C. title on home soil, when they host the provincial championship July 27 to 30 at Edith Gay.
Based on potential and character, Law said this year鈥檚 edition of the Devils should be the best yet.
鈥淲e鈥檒l have a fast, hardworking team,鈥� said Law. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a young, gutsy talented group of kids with a lot of potential. I can鈥檛 wait to get started and see what they can do.鈥�
Since that first training camp in 2015 when just 16 players attended鈥攁ll of whom made the team鈥攖he Sun Devils鈥� program has experienced steady growth.
Twenty-eight players attended camp this spring, with 18 making up a balanced final roster鈥攕ix Grade 12s, six Grade 11s and six Grade 10 players.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a program on the rise,鈥� Law said. 鈥淭his year, it鈥檚 a great mix of seniors and raw talent. Overall, we鈥檒l be young but it鈥檚 a matter of those kids just playing lots and gaining some confidence.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e going to be a group that鈥檚 gets dirty and puts its nose to the grindstone.鈥�
The evolution of the program has also resulted in more attention for 琉璃神社 players from college scouts on both sides of the border.
Pitcher Jay Taylor has already committed to College of Sequoias in California, while a handful of other Sun Devils are on the radar of U.S. and Canadian schools.
The club will also feature a female pitcher for the second straight season. Kensington Renneberg, who became the first female ever to win a game at the midget AAA level last season, will join the University of Alberta women鈥檚 baseball program next season.
The Sun Devils will play 38 regular season games in 2017, competing as one of seven teams in the B.C 18U AAA league.
The Central Okanagan Minor Baseball Association is also fielding a bantam (15U) AAA program this season for the first time. The Sun Devils bantam team, coached by Jon Przybyl, will open its season this weekend on the coast against Delta and Nanaimo.
