PRAIRIE DU CHIEN – Believe it or not, Prairie du Chien coach Mark Pedretti thinks this year’s Blackhawks baseball team could be as good if not better than last year’s that reached the WIAA Division 2 state championship game.

“We have a solid group again this year after losing the core of our infield to graduation,” Pedretti said. “A solid junior class picked up where they left off and we have five or six solid pitchers that can pitch anytime.”

Where improvements might show up the most for the Blackhawks (8-1), ranked No. 4 in this week’s Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association Division 2 poll, is at the plate.

“Our hitting is improved this year,” Pedretti said. “There are outstanding pitchers in our league this season and it will be a plus for us to see quality pitching all season.”

Prairie du Chien does bring back three all-conference players to the Southwest Wisconsin Conference race including pitcher/outfielders Blaine Kozekla and Tyler O’Kane (both first team) as well as outfielder Tyler Kozelka (second team).

Blaine will actually step in to catch for all-state catcher Kyle Sime who graduated last season and set a school record for hits in a season.

“Blaine has been doing an outstanding job behind the plate and done very well offensively, hitting .400 so far,” Pedretti said of moving Blaine from third base last season.

Tyler Kozelka and O’Kane will anchor the pitching staff along with Nate Mezera among a group of solid arms that should be another strength of the team as it strides for its fourth straight SWC crown.

“The tradition is there,” Pedretti said of the run of titles. “It won’t be surprising to anybody for awhile. We have good players and always like to think we are one step away from making a run like the one we had last year.”

With athletes like O’Kane, who will be a preferred walk-on for the University of Wisconsin football team in the fall, Pedretti just might be right.

“He’s gifted with speed and strength,” Pedretti said. “He will be one of a handful of guys that will add speed to our outfield.”