RAPID CITY - The Rapid City Central baseball team is hoping a trip to last year's state tournament, and key senior leadership add up to a state title.

The Cobblers advanced to state last year as a wild-card entrant. Rapid City fell to Aberdeen, 4-3, in 14 innings in the state semifinals. Aberdeen went on to claim the state title.

"It was a good year for us last year," first-year head coach Jerry Cranford said. "We are looking forward to this season. We are heavy on seniors with a lot of good juniors behind them."

Cranford takes over the program from Jamie Holsworth. Cranford, who was an assistant coach last year, inherits a senior dominated club that finished 9-7 a year ago.

The Cobblers, in an effort to face some tough competition, opened the season in Mississippi.

"We went to play some competition that's a little tougher, because they are able to play year round," Cranford said. "That's why college teams up in the north go south to get ready for season."

Cranford said early season preparations, before the trip to Mississippi, focused on pitching and defense.

"The biggest thing we wanted was to see pitching and defense, so we sacrificed hitting to get our pitching and defense ready," Cranford said. "When we were indoors we worked on them, building arms. We figured that would carry through (the season)."

Cranford said the pitching staff will be led by lefthander Ryan Palmer. The senior threw well in Mississippi and has been solid so far this season.

"He's come from nowhere and is off to a great start," Cranford said. He's developed some power and movement with his ball and has been able to make adjustments."

Lefthander Mitch Jaeger, a senior, and junior Brad Winkleman, a right-hander, will also be counted on to eat up innings.

"Mitch can dominate a game and takes control," Cranford said. "He has that gunslinger mentality, he's very tough. Brad is a gamer. He's always ready to strap it on any time he plays."

The defense will be led by senior shortstop Brandon Kiewel and senior outfielders Trevor Mills and Nick Tadlock.

"I thought the defense would be good, but I was not sure about the pitching," Cranford said. "The new guys have come out and filled some holes in the staff. This is a very team-oriented club that is willing to do what it takes to get the job done. There are some good ballplayers but no one whose egos are out of whack."

The Cobblers, Cranford said, will have to contend with Mitchell, Sturgis or West for the top spot to state out of the region. Around the state, Cranford said, there are some definite favorites.

"Aberdeen will be tough and Yankton will be tough," he said. "Mitchell has a good coach, who always has his team ready to go."