The 2012 Capital University baseball team may not have a large core of experienced veterans, but what third-year coach Ryan Grice's club doesn't lack is the trait that drives any team in college athletics.

The Crusaders, who return no seniors following a 2011 campaign that ended with a 12-22 record, including an 8-10 mark in Ohio Athletic Conference play, hope to improve on their sixth-place finish with a strong junior class and good, old-fashioned hard work.

"Our guys work hard," Grice said. "That's never a question with our guys … they always give it their best. We're excited about where we're going and the direction we're headed in."

Leadership, both on and off the field, is an area the team has concentrated heavily on, according to Grice. As the most experienced players on the team, juniors Patrick Jackson, Garrett Griffin, Jacob Thuman, Dean Langholz and Brandon Natale will be relied on heavily to guide a young group of 20 sophomores and nine freshmen.

Twenty letterwinners, including 10 pitchers, return to a team that recorded its highest finish in the conference standings since 2007 a year ago. Nearly every starter, as well as a handful of the team's top pitchers, return in 2012.

Capital begins play this Saturday, Feb. 25, as part of their spring break tour to Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The eight-day journey, which includes nine contests and two junior varsity games, features two games against 2011 NCAA Playoff qualifier Adrian (Mich.).

The Crusaders open up their home schedule on March 13 against Ohio Christian. The team's slate also features match-ups with 2011 NCAA champion Marietta (April 6), and fellow NCAA qualifiers Thomas More (April 24) and Heidelberg (May 5).

Capital starts OAC play on March 31 at John Carroll, followed by a home doubleheader against Ohio Northern on April 3.

According to Grice, pitching and defense will be the key to winning games in 2012.

"We need to be dominant on the mound, and field the ball behind our pitchers," Grice said. "If we pitch like we think we can and play defense like we know we can, our offensive production will get better as the year goes on, and we'll compete with the top teams in the conference."

See below for a position-by-position breakdown of the 2012 Capital baseball team.

Infield

Sophomore Jess Cogan (Weedville, Pa.) and freshman Matt Carnahan (Moundsville, W.Va.) project to form the 1-2 punch at catcher. Cogan appeared in 10 games last season, making six starts. Grice believes Carnahan can play multiple positions and be a middle-of-the-order hitter.

At first base, Natale (Westerville, Ohio) returns as the starter. The junior started all 21 games he appeared in last season, recording 14 hits and five runs batted in. Freshman John Klinebriel (Circleville, Ohio) is a left-handed hitter with pop who may see time behind Natale.

Thuman, a fellow native of Westerville, projects to play second base. He garnered honorable mention All-OAC accolades in 2011 after leading the team with a .320 batting average and 32 hits.

Sophomore Anthony Calabrese (Hudson, Ohio) rejoins the team as the starting shortstop. Calabrese started all 34 games last season, contributing with eight RBIs and a team-best eight sacrifice hits.

Grice plans to employ a two-man platoon at third base, featuring sophomores Brian Wyer (New Albany, Ohio) and Ryan Pearson (Springfield, Ohio). Wyer is a defensive-minded, left-handed hitter who made 21 starts in 27 appearances last year, tallying 14 walks, a mark good for second on the team. Pearson, a right-handed hitter, posted a .304 batting average to go along with a team-best seven doubles.

Other infielders in the fold: Ben Washington (So., Columbus, Ohio); Austin Underwood (Fr., Reynoldsburg, Ohio); Alex Able (So., Stilesville, Ind.); Taylor Patterson (Fr., West Milton, Ohio)

Outfield

Jackson, a native of Grove City, Ohio, projects as the starter in center field, but can play all three outfield positions. Jackson batted .256 with 11 RBIs and three stolen bases in 2011. Sophomore Nate Campbell (Latrobe, Pa.) will also see time in center after hitting .309 and leading the team with a .500 on-base percentage, 18 walks and seven stolen bases last season.

In left field, sophomore Taylor Branisel (South Euclid, Ohio) and junior Dean Langholz (Pittsburgh, Pa.) look to see time. Branisel played in 10 games a season ago, while Langholz rejoins the team following an injury last season. He appeared in 18 games in 2010.

Sophomore Andy Grillo (McArthur, Ohio) looks to return to his starting spot in right field. In 2011, Grillo hit .280 with 10 RBIs and a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. Sophomore Jake Nelson (Utica, Ohio) and freshman Christian Ross (Bucyrus, Ohio) also seek playing time in right.

Other outfielders in the fold: Jesse Parker (Fr., Oak Hill, Ohio)

Pitching

According to Grice, sophomore right-handers Justin Hoying (Fort Loramie, Ohio) and Michael Flegal (Akron, Ohio) form the top of the rotation. Hoying started a team-high nine games last season, totaling three wins, one save and a team-best 39 strikeouts. Flegal led the starting core with a 4.68 earned run average and four victories.

Sophomore lefty Anthony Klamic (Wooster, Ohio) also returns to the starting rotation, posting a 1-3 record in seven starts. Griffin, a Grandview, Ohio, native, appeared in nine contests, including four starts, in 2011. Sophomore Kevin Brennan (Mason, Ohio) made seven starts last season and looks to be in the rotation.

The team's primary relievers include Thuman and sophomore Sam Sifferlin (Wooster, Ohio). Thuman appeared in four games last season, registering one save, while Sifferlin, a hard-throwing righty, made 15 appearances, including 14 in relief.

A pair of sophomores, lefty Jared Lee (North Bend, Ohio) and right-hander Jeremy Finchum (Galloway, Ohio), will also be called upon. Freshman Robert Fravel (Port Clinton, Ohio) projects to get innings as well.

Other pitchers in the fold: Brent Willing (LHP, So., Madeira, Ohio); Taylor Potter (RHP, So., Mount Sterling, Ky.); Derek Colston (RHP, Fr., Port Clinton, Ohio); Wayce Varian (RHP, Fr., Bellefontaine, Ohio); Andrew Mercer (LHP, So., Hudson, Ohio)