The Morgan Academy Senators have plenty to accomplish before their first game of the season. They have a new field that is still being worked on and a team that practiced together with every player on the field for the first time Monday.

The baseball season starts Saturday, Feb. 13 at Monroe Academy. There is still a lot of work to be done, but Morgan head coach Jeremy Carter believes his team has the right mix of experienced seniors and hard-working newcomers to make a run at a state championship this season.

Morgan’s basketball season came to a close Thursday, giving the Morgan baseball team, which includes multiple basketball players, all 20 of its players at practice.

“We’re big on being a family and we finally got everybody out here so that’s the big thing,” Carter said.

With a couple new players in the mix, Carter is still figuring out what he wants his lineup to look like. On top of that, Carter is working to make sure the new baseball field, which began construction in the fall, is finished by the team’s first home game Feb. 23 against Wilcox Academy.

“We’ve been trying to get as much work as we can, plus trying to finish the field, still putting up gates, nets and bullpen areas, finishing the mound and building the press box,” Carter said.

While the field doesn’t yet have a mound, Carter has pitchers he can rely on.

Carter said returning players in Jackson Henderson, Bishop Price and Woodham Kemmer should all be solid contributors in his pitching rotation.

While the batting lineup isn’t yet set and will likely waver throughout the season, Carter already knows who his lead-off man will be. Second baseman Miller Spivey is one of the players Carter expects to lead the team not only in the batting lineup, but also on the field.

The Morgan senior class has been itching to go out with a state championship all year. After many of the seniors who played football and basketball fell short of a championship, they want to make sure they accomplish their goal in baseball.

“We’re going to hope to do great and end the senior season out with a bunch of victories,” Spivey said.

Kemmer, who is a three-sport athlete but is most passionate about baseball, said he believes this team has what it takes to win a state championship.

“I think we can win it all this year,” Kemmer said. “Honestly I think we have the people to do it, and we have some really good young guys too in Brayton Brown and Gunner Henderson.”

Carter spoke highly of Brown and Gunner, and said the two could definitely contribute to the team’s success despite only being freshmen.

Morgan has talent all around, but to win a state championship, the Senators need to be the best in their region. Carter knows that will be a challenge this season.

“We’re in a region with Autauga and Hooper and they’re both really well-coached teams, and I think they’ve got most everybody back so it’s going to be a tough year,” Carter said.

Although Carter knows the challenge that lies ahead, he too is optimistic his team can win a state championship.

“They know what we expect. They know how to play. We’re just trying to get better day by day,” Carter said.