Baseball has finally returned and the Enumclaw Hornets are ready to start swinging the bats.

After playing in the state tournament’s Sweet 16 last year and finishing fourth in the South Puget Sound League, Enumclaw is poised to again climb the victory ladder.

Coach Eric Fiedler, in his eighth season at EHS and with a bushel of league and postseason success on his resumé, said he expects this team come together and do well.

“How we do early will be the key,” he said.

The team is young overall with three seniors back on the roster.

Heading the mound corps is junior Bryce Peterson. After showing his basketball skills for the  Hornets in league and postseason play, he will be on the mound, playing infield and outfield for the baseball team.

Taking on the bulk of the catching duties will be senior Dalton Bidon.

“He took over catching last year and just took off with it,” Fiedler said.

Also working the catching position will be sophomore Cooper Wicks.

Mytchell Johnson, a right-handed junior, will be throwing from the hill, as will freshman Blake Hildebrand.

Fiedler said the team has several gears of speed and he expects the boys to form into a solid team.

The Hornets host Federal Way at 7 p.m. Friday at Osborne Field.