Maranatha Christian's goal: status quo

Though he permitted his players to practice without shirts any time the temperature hit 80 degrees, Maranatha Christian Academy baseball coach Paul Obinger joked about an uncommonly high number of 79-degree days last spring.

This year, any practices held sans shirts will allow some light and warmth to reach the target on players' backs. Maranatha, located in Brooklyn Park, heightened its profile by qualifying for its first Class 1A state tournament last season. And Obinger and his players believe they can make a return trip.

"We're very confident," junior Matt Eickman said. "We know we'll be a target for some teams. But we want to win as many games as possible, especially the ones at the end that mean the most."

In the often-turbulent world of high school sports, where last year's seniors create this year's gaping holes, Maranatha comes back only a little worse for wear. Ace pitcher Aaron Headrick is gone, but Eickman appears ready to assume the role. Catcher Matt Maurer might be more difficult to replace. Tyler Campion will move to catcher this season, leaving a question mark at his former position, second base.

If last year's stretch run was any indication, the Mustangs' resolve seems immune to any adversity on the diamond. They beat West Lutheran 8-6 in the Class 1A, Section 4 subsection final after two losses in the regular season. And they came back from a 6-0 deficit to St. Bernard's in the first section final game to win 7-6.

Headrick left the St. Bernard's game with a sore arm and Eickman pitched 41/3 innings of relief to earn the victory for Maranatha, which had never played in a section final game.

"The experience we gained last season is a real positive," David Hanson said. "We know how to win games and how to prepare for a short, intense season."

This season already seems longer for Campion, who played soccer and basketball but said he allowed his mind to wander toward spring a little earlier than normal.

He was not alone. Obinger said his players typically start talkin' baseball after Christmas break. This year, they started popping into his room in September.

Obinger, in his fifth season as head coach, prefers a relaxed approach to baseball. He avoids scheduling games on Saturdays and never has his team practice on weekends. But as a sign of their competitiveness, he said, players have started hitting baseballs on the weekend.

"They have a mental drive," he said. "I've seen it in workouts already this year. They remember how fun it was last season, and their goal is to get back to Midway Stadium [site of the section finals] again. Once you get there, anything can happen."