"We've definitely got a championship team and hopefully we can put it all together and make a run for this thing in June," says Wolf Pack pitcher Mark Nowaczewski.

The Wolf Pack baseball team is looking for a bounce back year and it starts with "experience," said Wolf Pack head coach T.J. Bruce.

"For sure our toughness. I think that's the biggest deal. We're gonna be able to grind out games. I think last year we lost about almost 20 one run games and this year I think our toughness if there to be able to win those," added outfielder Cole Krzmarzick.

All-Mountain West first teamer Mark Nowaczewski returns to anchor the rotation.

"He's a fifth year senior and a guy that's done multiple roles in this program, has battled injury, has overcame quite a bit," said Bruce.

"Friday you just set the tone, set the tone for the whole weekend and how the whole team plays, so I think that's the biggest change for me coming from Saturday to Friday, but I think I'm ready for it. I think I'll handle it just fine," said Nowaczewski.

One big question the Pack face is who will replace Justin Bridgman at shortstop?

"It's still up in the air. There's a huge battle going on. I think you're gonna see even throughout this weekend of intrasquad you'll see three different guys playing short. (Daniel) Perry can play third, second, short, Conor (Allard) can catch and play short, Tyler Flores can play center, come in the infield," said Bruce.

Despite the loss at the short, the team feels good about its lineup.

"You go back to the 1,400 at bats coming back. That should make a lineup pretty good," said Bruce.

"We're gonna be able to get right to it and not get on a little streaky start, just kind of start banging right away," added Krzmarzick.

The Wolf Pack open the season on February 16th at UC-Irvine.