The 2010 Victoria Mariners enter the season with the hopes of remaining among the elite in the BCPBL. The Mariners return 11 players from 2009's squad. Although all weren't starters, the coaching staff feels their improvement and development in the last year will result in immediate success for the 2010 campaign.
 
AROUND THE INFIELD:
The M's will continue their tradition of having big bats at the corners this year as 3B Scott Jones and 1B Austin Russell return for their final PBL seasons before they both depart for Colby JC (KS). Both Jones and Russell had 30 RBI's last season and sat near the top of most offensive categories. Junior 2B Daryl Blaskovich returns for his second stint with the Premier Mariners. After splitting time with Jag Gordaya (Marshalltown College, Iowa) Blaskovich enters the season as the clubs starting 2B. The coaching staff is more than pleased with his development and is hoping his versatility will get him an invite to the Selects camp in Oliver.
 
The Mariners are blessed to have 2 quality Shortstops in Sophomore Jesse Hodges (JR Selects Camp Invitee/ Mizuno Camp Candidate) and Senior Brody Coulter (AAA Team BC). Both possess strong arms and slick gloves which make them hard to take off the field. Expect to see Hodges play SS, 2B and even some 3B this season. The team’s main DH this season will be Levi Kerns. Kerns will hit in the heart of the Mariner order and be counted on to produce a lot of runs. Kerns will see a lot of time at 1B this year.
  
IN THE OUTFIELD:
The M's return 2 starters from last year’s outfield. RF Greg Thibadeau (Cisco JC, TX) and CF Matt Phillips (TRU) will be the mainstays and share leadoff duties. Both possess excellent speed and the ability to go get it in the OF. Phillips leadership will be counted on by the M's coaching staff. LF duties will be split mainly by Senior Rob Chittick and highly touted Sophomore Matt Bryan. Chittick is a speedster and has impressed early in the spring with timely hits and superb defense. Bryan is coming off a strong Bantam season. He has a strong arm and his power projects well. Expect to see Bryan in the middle of the Mariner order as Junior. Returning SR Jeremy Campbell will see time at all 3 OF positions this season. Campbell is a favorite amongst Mariner followers and his teammates. He is a leader that keeps his team loose and playing with confidence. The versatile Campbell can play EVERY position on the field including P and C and will be a mainstay in the M's order for 2010.
 
BEHIND THE PLATE:
3rd year Mariner Connor Moughtin returns and will likely see the bulk of the duties as his catching partner Kelly Norris-Jones (University of Illinois) will spend a good chunk of the season competing with the Junior National Team. Norris-Jones had a breakout season last summer leading TEAM BC to gold at the Canada Cup earning top catching honors. Moughtin regarded as one of the leagues top C's both offensively and defensively will hit in the middle of the M's order once again and will be counted on to lead a young pitching staff through the long PBL season. Joining the 2 veteran C's this season is SR Brendan Talbot. Although this is Talbot’s 1st year, he has quickly earned the respect of his teammates and the coaching staff through his hard work and willingness to win.
 
ON THE MOUND:
This year’s staff features 5 quality starters. It will be a dog fight for the 4th spot in the rotation every weekend but the 5 starters enjoy healthy competition. Adam Cessford (Salt Lake CC, UT) is the staff’s ace this year. Cessford is in his 3rd season for the Mariners. Last season Cessford posted an 8-6 record, but deserved better as his 2.25 ERA was among the leagues best. Ryan Reine is in his 2nd year for the Mariners. The hard throwing righthander could find it hard to improve on an excellent 2009 season where he went 4-1, 1.97. Pitching Coach Randy Holt feels Reine could have some of the best stuff in the league. Newcomer Connor Russell (TRU) will see a lot of time on the hill this summer for the Mariners. Russell throws 3 pitches for strikes and comes ready to compete every time out. The Mariners feel they have one of the best JR tandums in the PBL in RHP's Mike Shaw and Cole Holt. Both are coming off excellent JPBL seasons and will see plenty of starts as they prepare to be the #1-2 starters for the upcoming season. Mariner coaches have all the confidence that the two could pitch their way to an invite to Selects camp in Oliver. Rounding out the team’s staff will be LHP Riley Rebitt. Rebitt is a hardworking sophomore that earned a tryout at the Best of the West tournament and impressed so much he earned a Premier roster spot.