The Cranston West baseball team is closing in on opening day and figures to be a contender in the crowded Division I race.

With five seniors in the lineup and all three senior starting pitchers returning, the Falcons are loaded with experience and looking to hit the ground running this spring season.

“The kids are confident. They’ve been coming in and working hard. Hopefully we have the right chemistry and the right formula to be right in the thick of things come playoff time to make a run at a championship,” said West coach Rob Malo. “That’s the plan, but sometimes that is easier said than done. I think if we take care of the basics – pitching, hitting, fielding – we will be tough to beat.”

West will be led by the three-headed monster on the mound which includes Luciano Leone, Nick Masse and Demetri Sampalis.

“They’re our starters and we’ll go as far as they take us. They’re going to be the workhorses when it’s their game to pitch. It all starts with pitching and defense and hopefully we’ll get the bats rolling. They need to be successful on the mound,” said Malo.

Other key players returning are shortstop Edwin Silverio, catcher Ethan White and third baseman Chris Piscione. West will be relying on underclassmen to fill out the bullpen, including guys like Corey Blanchette and Ryan Zarrella.

The Falcons have come up short in the playoffs the last two seasons in tight decisions North Kingstown, who would go on to win the title each year. With such a deep, experienced roster, West is looking to take the next step forward to emerge as title favorites.

 “The last two years we lost in dramatic fashion to North Kingstown who went on to win it all, so those years have left a sour taste in their mouths. That has gotten the ball rolling this year. That has been the driving force for us to get those two playoff losses back,” said Malo.

West will host La Salle on opening day next Monday and will turn around to take on Pilgrim on the road for the second game of the spring. Division I narrowed its field this spring, which has made each game even more important in the regular season.

 “Getting off to a good start is our plan. We have a big test to start with La Salle and with the division getting smaller, there are no easy games,” Malo said. “Every game is important, so we’ll see what happens.”