OWEGO - River Hawks' baseball spent the week fine tuning, getting work done inside and outside as they gear up for a season filled with big expectations.

Last season was a historic one for Owego, winning their first STAC championship since 1999 and finishing with a 20-4 record. Their second only STAC title in program history. Unfortunately for OFA, the season came to an end in the Section IV final, losing to eventual state champion Maine-Endwell, 8-6.

Owego comes into this spring lead by an outstanding senior class, and they're determined to get back to the sectional final, but achieve a much different result this time around.

"This year on varsity we have 18 guys, including 12 seniors. A lot of experience. We have five juniors and a sophomore as well," said head coach Nick Wegmann. "We're losing catcher, Ben Rollison, and second baseman Talon Schumacher, who was absolutely phenomenal defensively. Also, Zach Beyer who was a real gamer. Only three departures, which doesn't seem like a lot, but they were key pieces last year."

This year's varsity squad returns future Binghamton Bearcat, Conlan Taylor. Excellent on both the mound and in the batter's box, Taylor signed a letter of intent earlier this year to play Division I down the road at Binghamton University.

Joining Taylor in the pitching rotation for 2025 is Elijah Lewis, and the two should make a formidable one-two punch. Depth in the pitching department will be a strength for the River Hawks and coach Wegmann expects his bullpen to play a major role as the season progresses.

"We got guys coming back that threw out of the bullpen last year. People think that pitching is pitching, but pitching out of the bullpen is a skill and these guys did it all last year. That will be a strength for us," remarked Wegmann.

More key returners that are expected to move the needle this spring are seniors, Evan English and Joseph Palladino. English hit .319 last season, while Palladino finished 2024 with an on-base percentage of .468.

With so many guys returning that logged plenty of at-bats last season, coach Wegmann likes the offensive makeup of the River Hawks in 2025.

"One of our biggest strengths coming in is our approach to hitting. We don't have any guys coming to the plate that are just going to give you a free out," said Wegmann. "Again, experience returning. With six guys in the lineup who had almost 100 at-bats last year, that goes a long way when it comes to seeing varsity pitching."

Ultimately for this experienced OFA lineup, it comes down to the main goal for 2025. Win the sectional title.

"Winning a sectional championship, that's the goal," Wegmann said. "I don't think you can look at last year and say it was a disappointment. Anytime you win 20 games in a season and you lose to the state champion, you had a pretty good year. Obviously we want to get back to that point and the next step is to win a sectional title."

The anticipation for the 2025 OFA baseball season is palpable in Owego, NY. They open their season on April 1st, when they host Susquehanna Valley at 5 p.m.

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IN PHOTO FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Conlan Taylor, Joseph Palladino, Evan English, and Elijah Lewis.