Two spring sports—baseball and softball—began practicing this month.

Nick Hoffner will coach the baseball team for a fifth year in a row. The Riverhawks will boast a roster of 28 players, including 11 returners.

“We had a bunch of guys that had good seasons last year,” Hoffner said. “We got a bunch of guys that had some really nice years as freshmen. So looking for them to follow it up this spring with an even better season.”

The baseball team will play 56 games not including playoffs.

Last year, the ’Hawks made it to the final four of the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 20 Division II tournament, losing 5-4 to Community College of Baltimore County Catonsville.

“That was the second year in a row we’ve made the final four,” Hoffner said. “So looking to not only get back to the final four, but, you know, get past there.”

Griffin Klein, a second-year kinesiology student, said he hopes for the team to have good communication and for the coach to “help us improve.”

Klein, a returning catcher, added: “I want to stay healthy and just be consistent, and bring good energy to the team.”

Nicco Holland, a second-year criminal justice student, agreed, adding you “always expect to do better than you did last year.”

The baseball team’s first game is on Feb. 1 at Surry Community College.

The softball season will begin March 5 at Chesapeake College.

Guy Klingensmith will coach the softball team for the ninth year in a row.

According to Klingensmith, the softball team, with six players, including two returners, doesn’t have enough players yet.

Still, Klingensmith said he’s “excited to get things going.”

I’m “excited to get the girls started,” Klingensmith said. “Just getting ready to go.”

Addison Hurst, a second-year kinesiology student and returning center fielder, agreed, adding that it will probably be her last season.

“We obviously are down people, so we need to find more,” Hurst, who was listed in the NJCAA All-Region 20 Division II softball team last season, said. “But I’m feeling hopeful that we will find players if you have a good season.”

Klingensmith will be joined by Jayden Buchanan, a third-year nursing student, as an assistant, who played for the softball team as an infielder for two years. 

According to Klingensmith, the softball team won’t participate in any tournaments. The softball season will begin March 5 at Chesapeake College