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The Central Valley-Hillsboro high school baseball team this year is making a strong pitch for the spring sport.

They’re also the team to beat in Region 2, a league that includes teams like perennial baseball powerhouses Hatton-Northwood, MayPort-CG and Thompson.

The local high school baseball team is playing the game the way it was designed to be played.

Manager Nathan Walsh is convinced, anyway. 

“The hitters are making good contact with the bats, the pitchers are throwing strikes and we’re making plays in the field.”

For the most part, he added.

Actually, he confessed, “we’re doing well.”

Players missing from last year’s squad had to be replaced, of course, and the new kids on the diamond “have stepped in and filled the shoes well,” said Walsh.

Two of the players stepping up for the 8-1 Central Valley-Hillsboro Valiants have been Matt Schmitt, foreign exchange student at Hillsboro, and Tom Riske, the team’s powerful first baseman.

Riske, a student at Central Valley, had a double and an RBI in CV-H’s 3-0 win over Larimore Monday at Reynolds. The Valiants beat Hatton-Northwood, 8-4, last Thursday (April24) at Reynolds. The CV-H high school baseball team is a perfect 6-0 in the region.

From Germany, Matt Schmitt came to the U.S. hoping he could play baseball.

He plays third base and pitches.

“Matt has been a pleasant surprise for us,” Walsh said. “He’s a good all-around player.” The import from German has been keeping opposing hitters off-balance with his mixture of pitches, according to his manager.

Veteran players from Hillsboro on Walsh’s starting 9 include Jake Olsen, Brian Smelden, Aaron Meyer and Jamie Horne.

“Olsen is a leader on the team,” said Walsh. Olsen catches and pitches for the Valiants.

Brian Smelden, leadoff batter, catches and plays in the outfield. He can also pitch, said Walsh.

Center fielder Aaron Meyer is also called on to pitch. The left-hander threw a 7-hit shutout against Larimore Monday. Meyer struck out 10 Larimore batters. “Aaron has a lot of movement on his fastball,” said Walsh. “He makes it tough on the hitters.”

Shortstop Jamie Horne anchors the CV-H infield. “Jamie’s defense is one of the keys to our success,” his coach said.

Other starters for Walsh and the Valiants include Nick Proznik, right field; Chase Luchsinger, left field; and Cody Waslien, second base.

Central Valley-Hillsboro plays North Border today (Friday) at Reynolds. First pitch is at 4:30 p.m.

Playing in the north region, North Border split with powerhouse Grafton this week, winning 3-0 after dropping the first game of the doubleheader, 7-0.

CV-H plays Sacred Heart Saturday morning (9 a.m.) at East Grand Forks. The Valiants are at Minto Monday. Thompson plays in Hillsboro next Thursday (May 8). Game time: 4:30 p.m.

Twenty-four baseball players, grades 9-12, reported for the Central Valley-Hillsboro baseball team this year.

The numbers are encouraging, Walsh and assistant coach Mark Rerick agree.

So are the team’s statistics: 6-0 region, 8-1 overall.