After graduating 14 seniors, the Ironmen varsity baseball team began their 2020 season with clear goals and high hopes.  The goal isn’t “really about doing any better than last year,” Head Coach Ryan Short said, but “just trying to do as well as this group can.” Prior to the postponement of the season, Short was optimistic about the team’s potential, saying he  “think[s] this group can do really well.” After last year’s exit on a rainy day in the Regional Championship game against Moline, Short is determined to make it a step further this year, and he thinks the Ironmen are up for the challenge. On their journey to Regionals, Short hopes to win the Big 12 Conference since NCHS is currently half a point ahead of Peoria Notre Dame for the all-sports trophy. “We spring sports need to pull our weight,” Short said. Short believes that the key to the team pulling its weight and reaching its full potential is camaraderie and chemistry, something he doesn’t think will be an issue for this group, which will make it easier to focus on and achieve season success.