WICHITA, Kan. — Looking to improve their standing in the Heartland Conference, the Newman baseball team kicks off its 2018 season this weekend.

The Jets, who finished last season 21-28 overall and 8-16 in Heartland play, have a solid core of returning to players to go along with a promising recruiting class.

Newman returns three of its top five hitters from a year ago, with six total players back that saw significant time in the starting lineup.

The pitching staff received an influx of talent in the offseason, and must face the grind of four-game series in each of the final 11 weekends of the season.

The Jets open their season Thursday at Fort Hays State, turning around quickly for their home opener against the Tigers Friday afternoon at McCarthy Field.

SEASON BREAKDOWN (2017 statistics in parentheses)

Starting Pitchers

Returners: Trey Tucker, Jr. (12 app., 3 starts, 4.32 ERA, 33 IP, 22 SO, 5 BB); Jacob Stramel, So. (redshirted); Samuel Hersh, Jr. (12 app., 8 starts, 5.61 ERA, 19 SO, 32 BB)

Newcomers:  Zack Erdman, Jr. (Chicago/Black Hawk CC); Roger Wilson, Jr. (Burbank, Ill./Black Hawk CC)

Coach Speak: "Starters will be Wilson, Erdman, Trey Tucker, Stramel, and if Sam Hersh gets healthy, he could get some starts. We don't know who we're throwing in the opener yet, and we'll have to get the rotation figured out by conference play."

Relief Pitchers

Returners: Garrett Hammond, Sr. (22 app., 3 starts, 4.42 ERA, 36.2 IP, 32 SO, 14 BB); Avery Riedmiller, So. (2 app., 1.0 IP); Collin Loutensock, Sr. (16 app., 6 starts, 7.20 ERA, 35.0 IP, 26 SO, 19 BB); Myron Johnson, Fr. (redshirted); Chris Luschen, Jr. (3 app., 2.2 IP); Wade Winter, So. (8 app., 7 starts, 7.00 ERA, 27.0 IP, 12 SO, 18 BB); Dalson Hamlin, Fr. (redshirted); Blake Thunberg, Fr. (redshirted); Avery Chenier, So. (14 app., 9.00 ERA, 13.0 IP, 5 SO, 6 BB)

Newcomers: Josh Mapel, Jr. (Liberty, Mo./Coffeyville CC); Quinton Bonnell, Jr. (Parker, Colo./Garden City CC); Crae Pfannenstiel, Fr. (Tulsa, Okla./Holland Hall HS)

Coach Speak: "Quinton Bonnell will be the first out of the pen, and Garrett Hammond will be in the mix out there. Chenier had a good spring, and Loutensock is starting to pitch really well. Chris Luschen had a really good spring, so he'll get some time in the middle innings, and Avery Riedmiller is coming along really well."

Catchers

Returners: Easton Herring, Sr. (37 games, 35 starts, 5 2B, 1 3B, 8 RBI); Aaron Mack, Sr. (49 games, 48 starts, .295 avg., 17 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 39 RBI, .512 slg.); Koby Nguyen, Fr. (redshirted)

Newcomers: Spencer Lloyd, Jr. (Springdale, Ark./Independence CC); Hunter Kellgren, Jr. (Kansas City, Mo./Coffeyville CC); Max Bajza, Fr. (Boulder, Colo./Boulder HS)

Coach Speak: "We'll have a combination of Aaron Mack, Easton Herring, Koby Nguyen and Spencer Lloyd. We don't really know which way that's going to go, but they're all going to get opportunities. Easton and Mack have the most experience, and Koby has a lot of upside, just needs experience."

Infielders

Returners: Channing Williams, Sr. (49 games, 49 starts, .295 avg., 6 2B, 1 3B, 23 RBI, 18 SB); Brian Canfield, Sr. (49 games, 49 starts, .353 avg., 46 runs, 17 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 38 RBI); Rene Rivera, Sr. (19 games, 12 starts, .209 avg., 2 2B); Daniel Jahnke, Sr. (40 games, 34 starts, .212 avg., 11 RBI)

Newcomers: Mitchell Austin, Jr. (Sydney, Australia/Highland CC); Aaron Eshelman, Fr. (Wichita, Kan./East HS); Turner Lace, Jr. (Scottsdale, Ariz./Paradise Valley CC); Will Jordan, So. (Grenada, Miss./Holmes CC); Tyler Push, Fr. (Fremont, Neb./Fremont HS); Satsuki Yamamoto, Fr. (Tokyo, Japan/Junten HS); Joey Schneider, Fr. (Kansas City, Mo./North Kansas City HS); Jon Coufal, Fr. (Broomfield, Colo./Holy Family HS)

Coach Speak: "Canfield will be at first, and Jon Coufal has had a really good spring, so he'll get some opportunity at first and DH. Channing Williams at second, Turner Lace at short, and a combination of Jahnke and Will Jordan at third. Canfield can hit the ball, and Channing is a top-of-the-order guy, and Coufal had four home runs this spring."

Outfielders

Returners: Paul Rupnik, Jr. (43 games, 40 starts, .222 avg., 7 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 7 SB);

Newcomers: Matt Reeves, Jr. (Newcastle, Australia/Clarendon CC); Clay Druin, Jr. (Bardstown, Ky./Vincennes CC); Jake Hanson, Jr. (Shawnee, Kan./Highland CC); Austin Hillhouse, So. (Wichita, Kan./Bacone)

Coach Speak: "Jacob Hanson will be in left, center will be a combination of Tyler Push and Clay Druin. Paul Rupnik and Matt Reeves will be in right, possibly with Aaron Mack out there and Reeves in left. Hanson is probably our biggest home run threat, along with Mack. Rupnik has had some really good outings, and Reeves had a productive fall."