By Thomas Jones, Sports Editor

Pundits say that baseball programs such as Westlake don’t rebuild but, rather, reload.

Well, those pundits might have to pinch hit next season, because the Chaps will have less experience than a kindergarten choir.

This off-season asks the most questions for Westlake since the program began its string of four consecutive district titles in 2006. Thirteen players graduated from this year’s state semifinalist team, leaving gaping holes in the lineup and the rotation.

Questions? How about who will hit leadoff? Or cleanup? Or No. 3 or No. 9? Get the picture?

And those inquiries don’t even include defense or the pitching staff, which must replace workhorse starters James Ferguson and Holt McNair.

Westlake’s lineup will likely revolve around incoming junior centerfielder Collin Shaw, the only returning starting position player for the Chaps. Shaw had a splendid sophomore year with a .338 average and 14 RBIs in the regular season and showed vast range in the outfield. He appears primed to join the list of recent standout centerfielders such as Aaron Garza, Max Minor and Win Smith. 

Miles Hanson, an incoming senior, will likely offer Shaw protection in the lineup. The 6-foot-4-inch slugger hit .250 in the regular season and became a fixture in the lineup during Westlake’s playoff run.

But that’s where Westlake’s experience at the plate ends. Shaw and Hanson combined for 107 at-bats during the regular season. The other seven returning varsity letter winners totaled 53 at-bats.

At least Westlake’s hitters won’t feel raw compared to the team’s rotation. No returning Chap threw more innings than Shaw’s 18 2/3 innings. Expect Shaw to contend for a starting spot alongside Hanson, who didn’t start a game in the regular season but worked a gem against Smithson Valley in the third game of a regional quarterfinal series.

But exits offer opportunities, and the Chaps traditionally have talent to fill the program’s gaps. Players such as outfielder Jon Darilek, pitchers Nathan Powell and Robert Baldwin and infielder Davis Breedlove will have their chances to succeed, and a two-team junior varsity program that went a combined 34-15-1 boasted plenty of potential.

Such players will anticipate another district title and lengthy playoff run. After all, expectations never graduate at Westlake.