MADISON – On paper, the Madison Edgewood baseball team is stacked with experience and talent that led to a 23-1 record in 2008 and won the Badger-South Conference without a loss.

On that same sheet of paper, the return of senior infielder Robert Parman, who was a first-team Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association all-state pick, and senior pitcher Chris Ritter, a WBCA third-team all-state pick, show why the Crusaders are the WBCA’s Division 2 preseason No. 1 ranked team.

Out on the field – where the games are actually played – Ritter and Parman are joined by first-team all-conference picks Nick Hughes (senior catcher) and Christian Webers (junior first baseman) and second-team all-conference outfielder Tim Longo.

“(Parman and Ritter) are definitely our leaders,” Edgewood coach Richard Newton, II said. “The good thing about that is that the other kids see what they do and it makes them work even harder to become equals with them. It motivates everyone to get to the next level.”

Saying Parman and Ritter are the leaders of the team is probably the best way to put it. They are the team’s No. 1 and No. 2 pitchers (Ritter is the ace) and hit third and fourth in the batting order.

“They are the catalysts on offense,” Newton said. “Ritter is really good on the mound. He’s  control guy and controls the tempo defensively.

“If the guys get on base in front of them it really takes the pressure off those two guys.”

The Crusaders do have two spots to fill in the field, but with fresh faces but Newton is confident there will be no let down.

“Defense has always been a strength for us,” Newton said.

Edgewood is used to the added pressure of being the preseason No. 1 ranked team, having also held the position last season.

Newton still doesn’t put a whole lot of weight in the rankings, especially before any games have even been played.

“It’s recognition of what other coaches and teams think of you,” Newton said. “Last year we were the preseason No. 1 and we lost in the sectional finals. As good as we’ve been, you still have to work throughout the season because other teams see it and always bring their best effort at you.”

First things first for the Crusaders is the race for the fourth conference title in five years.

“The conference was down a bit last year, but this year I think it should be much improved,” Newton said. “Top to bottom teams will be much better.”