Rosters change at Westlake, but expectations rarely do.

And this year’s Chap baseball team offers plenty of proof for that trait of Westlake athletics.

The Chaps lost eight of their nine regular starters from last season’s 26-13 state semifinalist team to graduation as well as their top two pitchers. But Coach Jim Darilek still expects his team to contend for a fifth consecutive district title and another playoff spot.

“That’s always our goal,” he said. “We lost a lot of kids from a team that was pretty special, but I think we have some guys with something to prove.”

According to Darilek, a strong off-season bolsters his team’s hopes entering tonight’s season opener against Cedar Park.

“I’m a little surprised by how good they look, to be honest,” he said. “Guys that were backups have matured and gotten stronger, and they’re taking ownership of the team.”

Although just a junior, Collin Shaw looks to be one of those owners. The lone returning starter from last year, Shaw hit .338 with 14 RBIs during the 2009 regular season. The center fielder will likely anchor Westlake’s lineup from the fourth or fifth spot, and he could also earn a regular spot in Westlake’s pitching rotation. A year ago, Shaw had a 4.88 ERA while tossing 18 2/3rds innings.

“He’s been a pleasant surprise on the mound,” Darilek said. “His velocity stands out, and he has good movement.

“I think that Collin has accepted the fact that he’s an outfielder, but he’s going to have to help us out [pitching].”

Expect 6-foot-6-inch senior Miles Hanson to handle plenty of work on the mound. He threw less than 12 innings during the 2009 regular season but showed his mettle in a series-clinching performance against Smithson Valley in last year’s playoffs. In the third and decisive game, Hanson gave up just three runs in seven innings during a 4-3 Westlake win.

“He got his feet wet and showed what he’s made of in that game,” Darilek said.

Southpaw Chris Watkins will join Shaw and Hanson in the primary rotation. When not on the mound, Watkins will likely start in left field, and Hanson will handle the duties at first base.

The rest of the lineup appears set, although Darilek has a couple of spots to solidify before the start of District 25-5A play against Bowie March 9.

Leadoff hitter Jon Darilek will start at shortstop, and senior classmate Davis Breedlove will start at second base. Both played extensively last season.

Junior Robert Baldwin served a one-year apprenticeship behind the plate last season and takes over full-time catching duties, and sophomore Lewis Guilbeau has earned the start in right field.

Sean Murphy and Robert Andon could challenge Watkins for playing time in left field. Expect Troup Evans, Alexie Nunez or Andres Mitre to start at third base.

Regardless of who completes the lineup, Darilek thinks this year’s attack could offer something new. A year ago, the Chaps hit .314 as a team with an impressive on-base percentage of .436. However, Westlake produced just 10 home runs in 30 regular-season games.

“Overall, I think we’ll have more power,” Darilek said, citing sluggers such as Baldwin, Shaw and Hanson. “If we can keep getting on base like we did [a year ago], I expect us to get some runs.”

Expect. There’s that word again.

Schedule
February
22: vs. Cedar Park, 6 p.m.
25-27: at Border Olympics, Laredo

March
4-6: at Centex Classic, Westlake
9: vs. *Bowie, 7 p.m.
11-13: at Westwood Warrior Classic
16: at *Pflugerville, 7 p.m.
17: vs. *Bastrop, 7 p.m.
23: vs. *Connally, 7 p.m.
26: vs. *Anderson, Northwest, 7 p.m.
27: vs. Georgetown, noon
30: vs. *Austin High, 7 p.m.

April
1: vs. *Akins, Burger, 7 p.m.
6: vs. *Bowie, Burger, 7 p.m.
9: vs. *Pflugerville, 7 p.m.
13: ay *Bastrop, 7 p.m.
16: at *Connally, 7 p.m.
20: vs. *Anderson, 7 p.m.
23: vs. *Austin High, Burger, 7:30 p.m.
30: vs. *Akins, 7 p.m.

* District 25-5A game

Roster
No. Player Class Pos.
1 Robert Andon 12 OF
2 Andrew Sullivan 11 P/IF
3 Troup Evans 12 IF
4 Collin Shaw 11 OF/P
6 Hayden Ross 10 IF/P
7 Jon Darilek 12 IF
10 Andrew Gray 12 OF/P
11 Davis Breedlove 12 IF
12 Andy LaBaw 12 IF
13 Matt Balsizer 11 C
14 Sean Murphy 11 OF
15 Alexei Nunez 12 IF
17 Miles Hanson 12 1B/P
19 Lewis Guilbeau 10 OF/P
20 Bret Schumacher 11 IF
21 Andres Mitre 11 IF/P
22 Lance Duran 10 C/OF
25 Nathan Fleet 11 OF/P
26 Nathan Powell 12 1B/P
27 Robert Baldwin 11 C
28 Garrett Ochoa 11 C/IF
29 Chris Watkins 12 OF/P