Members of Danville High School’s varsity baseball team are, from left, (front) Jackson Broadfoot, Landon Tidwell, Canan Owens, Jackson Locklear, Noah Hogan, John Clark Weatherwax, Mason Little, Weston Krahe, (back) Ben Burnett, Jacob Holder, Hunter Brown, Wade Vest, Jeremy Legg, Nik Newell and Austin Clemons. | Clif Knight

Experience won’t be a problem when Danville’s Hawks launch their 2015 baseball season.

Only one player is missing from the team that compiled a 24-16 overall record and finished first in its area in 2014. That player is Jonathan Wynne, a utility infielder.

Eight starting players from that team are back, sporting new goals and higher expectations.

Their loss to Cordova in the first round in the playoffs left something to be desired. Their goals are to repeat as a 20-plus game winner, win a back-to-back area championship and make a deeper run in the playoffs.

The returning starters are Austin Clemons, senior outfielder and pitcher; senior Noah Hogan, senior outfielder; senior Jackson Broadfoot, catcher; junior Hunter Brown, pitcher and outfielder; junior Jacob Holder, outfielder and pitcher; sophomore Landon Tidwell, shortstop; Jackson Locklear, second baseman; and junior Carson Owens, outfielder and pitcher.

Other players returning with varsity experience are junior Nik Newell, utility player; junior Mason Little, outfielder; sophomore Dalton Parker, first baseman and pitcher; and Weston Krohe, first baseman and pitcher.

Wade Vest, junior pitcher and John Clark Weatherwax, junior utility player moved up from the JV team.

“This group of players has a strong work ethic and a great attitude,” said head coach Brian Ellis. “They have become more consistent and resilient over time and have gained a better understanding of their roles.”

“Strengths of the team,” he said, “are defense and pitching depth.”

“One of our goals is to do a better job of playing small ball and executing first to third and bunt coverages.”

Moving up to Class 4A has placed Danville in a new area with Haleyville and Hamilton.

“The competition is going to be tough,” he pointed out. “Both have strong programs and Haleyville finished among the top four teams in the state last season. Hopefully, we’ll be able to compete with them.”

Working with Ellis as assistant coaches are Jimmy Parker, Schuyler Foreman, Trai Tidwell and McCord Thompson.

2015 Danville Varsity Baseball

Feb. 16 at Athens 1 p.m.

Feb. 17 at Fairview 6 p.m.

Feb. 19 at Falkville 4 p.m.

Feb. 20 Brewer 4 p.m.

Feb. 21 at Tanner noon

Feb. 23 at West Morgan 4:30 p.m.

Feb. 26 Decatur Heritage 4 p.m.

Feb. 28 Etowah noon

Feb. 28 Elkmont 2 p.m.

March 3 West Morgan 4:30 p.m. (DH)

March 5 Decatur Heritage 4:30 p.m. (DH)

March 7 at DAR 2 p.m. (DH)

March 10 at Westpoint 4 p.m. (DH)

March 12 Tanner 4:30 p.m. (DH)

March 14 Sheffield (at Hatton) 1 p.m.

March 14 at Hatton 3 p.m.

March 19 at Falkville 4:30 p.m.

March 21 West Point (at Priceville) 1:30 p.m.

March 21 Albertville (at Priceville) 3:30 p.m.

March 23 Haleyville* (at Danville) 4:30 p.m.

March 24 at Haleyville* 4:30 p.m. (DH)

March 26 at Curry 11:30 a.m. (DH)

March 30 at Hamilton* 4:30 p.m.

March 31 Hamilton* 4:30 p.m. (DH)

April 3 at East Lawrence 2 p.m.

April 3 Wilson (at East Lawrene) 4 p.m.

April 4 Falkville 11:30 p.m. (DH)

April 7 Addison 4:30 p.m. (DH)

April 9 at Decatur Heritage 3 p.m. (DH)

April 11 Cordova 2:30 p.m. (DH)

*-area game (first game of DH)