Confidence is key for any team going into the playoffs, and the Lancers baseball team feel good about their chances in the playoffs.

“We know that if we show up and play our game, we can compete against any team,” said senior outfielder Tim McEacharn.

The baseball team will look to take down the Salem High School Blue Devils tonight in the first round of the playoffs. After going 10-10, the Lancers finished 10th in the DI standings.

“We’re not where we wanted to be,” McEachern said. “We haven’t been beaten by teams. We beat ourselves.”

However, the Lancers have shown they are capable of competing with the top teams. They defeated the no. 3 seed Keene High School a couple weeks ago to give Keene their first home lost all year and also defeated the no. 5 seed Alvirne.

One of the keys to the Lancers’ success has been senior pitcher Noah Tavano, who will take the mound tonight for the Lancers.

“It seems like he is always throwing a complete game for us,” McEacharn. “He is always giving us a chance to win.”

Other major contributors to the team have been senior center fielder Jimmy Zimolka and junior third baseman Jonny Meskell.

“With Jimmy batting leadoff, he provides a sparkplug for us,” McEacharn said. “He is batting around .400 this year and is one of the fastest kids in the state.”

Meskell is the third hitter in the lineup and provides some of the power for the team. He also has excelled defensively for the Lancers.

“Jonny has been our shutdown third baseman,” McEacharn said. “He has been solid defensively and offensively for us all year long.”

The Lancers will look to advance in the postseason as they take on Salem at 4pm at Salem H.S.