The Spartans are back between the lines as the baseball season kicks into gear.

Sumner has qualified for the state games for three years and coach Casey Adcox has plans for a fourth run at the top.

Last season the Spartans took fourth in the South Puget Sound League 2A, second in the district tournament and fourth in state. It was the first semifinal state finish in the school’s history.

In 2010 the team reached the final sixteen, in 2011 the final eight and 2012 the final four.

Adcox said last year the team started two freshman and four sophomores during the second half of the season, which means the Spartans are still young but experienced in postseason competition.

Returning players include Chase Torgison, all-league first team designated hitter, Gage Whitehead, all-league honorable mention outfielder,  Johnny Staley, first base, who started as a freshman.

Also back are junior Logan Christensen, all-league second team pitcher who has two state wins and one state save in his first two years of high school baseball.

Junior Tysen Fischlin, center field and team captain, returns with Christian Parsons, pitcher.

No. three hitter  Luc Powers-Hubbard is back at third, a 2012 honorable mention, along with Cole Edwards, the only returning varsity senior.

Junior Brandon Walsh is back at shortstop, with the impressive stat of only one error at the position last year.

Sumner travels to Decatur for a 3:30 p.m. game Friday. The Spartans host Steilacoom Monday at 4 p.m.