BALDWIN – The overall record might be slightly deceiving, but don’t be mistaken about the Baldwin-Woodville baseball team.

Coach Grey Hush has eight returning senior starters coming back from a team that went 10-1 in the Middle Border Conference to take the championship.

“We have a pretty good group of seniors who love to play baseball and just want it,” Hush said. “They are good at keeping that mental edge. If we are able to do that, we can play with anybody.”

The Blackhawks (2-0, 3-4) haven’t gotten too down over their four losses three of them have come to Division 1 schools and were used as learning tools. The other was a 5 a.m. game at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

What Hush and B-W have seen is the emergence of first-team all-conference pick and ace pitcher Dylan DeMotts. DeMotts has kept his ace form from last season where the lefty when 8-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 47 innings while only allowing 17 walks.

“Dylan has been our rock,” Hush said. “He has pitched real well in the early part of the season, he just has to keep getting better through the season.”

The Blackhawks are without their No. 2 pitcher, Jason Geurkink for the time being as he recovers from some shoulder issues. He was a first-team all-conference pick last year and is the team’s starting shortstop where he has not disappointed.

The duo will be heading to the University of Wisconsin-Stout in the fall where they will both play baseball.

Back on the field at Baldwin-Woodville, the team’s performance at the plate has been something that is a strength. The defense, on the other hand, has been something where Hush is expecting to see improvement.

“Sure we have eight starters, back, but I have guys playing positions they’re not fully used to,” Hush said. “The guys that are back at their positions from last season have been solid for us. I fully expect those other guys to get to that level as the season progresses.”

One theme that has shown up for the offense is the lack of the big hit. Hush said it’s been one of the keys for the four losses.

Hush said he has yet to see everything come together with this team, ranked No. 5 in the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association Division 2 preseason poll.

“We’re still trying to see all three phases at their best at once,” Hush said. “Once we get it together we’ll keep it together. These guys are motivated to repeat and have no one better pushing them than those eight seniors.”