By:Kirby Daubanton
                Following their 2007 State Championship, the Cathedral High School baseball team is looking forward to the upcoming season and defending their title.
     Although never repeating as champions in back-to-back seasons among their now 11 titles, many feel that this is the year for just that to occur. With eight returning starters from last season, senior captain Phil Imholte expects nothing less than another championship this year.
     “I definitely believe [we can win again]. No question,” said Imholte. “We have all the right tools and making it last year, we are that much smarter. We know what it takes.”
     These tools can be found up and down the entire lineup through speed and great defense, but their greatest asset is their strong hitting. This was showcased during the postseason in which they had to outslug Albany 14-13 in order to make it out of subsection play and in the State Championship game, coming back from a 6-4 deficit against Glencoe-Silver Lake in 5th inning.
     Coach Bob Karn believes that the team’s mentality is another important aspect to his team’s success. “We have a lot of players who love to practice and play baseball. With that, you can do great things.” he said.
     However, there are many challenges which lay ahead of Cathedral in their hopes at another championship this year.  This season they will find themselves in the same section and subsection as Little Falls and Rocori, who moved to class AA from class AAA. “Potentially all three could go to state, but [being in the same subsection] the challenge is much greater in getting to the state tournament.” Karn said.
     Cathedral will also be trying to overcome the loss of starting pitcher Billy Sommers. Sommers, who burst on to the scene last year as a senior, pitched exceptionally well down the stretch including key wins in the section championship against Minnewaska and in the state tournament against Jordan. “Underclassmen will have to step up and show their potential and fill in the missing spots. A pitcher or two will have to step up and throw some big games.” said Imholte.
     Another position needing to be filled for the upcoming season is that of emotional leader after the graduation of Marco LaNave. Coach Karn is laying out the challenge to everyone to step up and take on that role. “[You] look for someone to have that driving passion and energy that is so genuine that no one can deny it. Hopefully everyone can have a little of that, but it’s nice when one player exemplifies that attitude.” he said. Imholte doesn’t believe that it’s as simple as it sounds, but does have a possible leader in mind. “Adam Giambruno always brings a lot of energy to the dugout. You can’t replace a guy like Marco; you really don’t want to replace Marco. He’s in a whole league by himself.”
     Cathedral opens their season on April 10 at Paynesville. Karn is keeping his hopes high for his team as the season starts. “We always start the season with that (state championship) as a goal. We believe we’re state champions until someone beats us.”