Toledo, OH -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/07/2012 -- As part of his recent article in The Toledo Blade, sports writer Mark Monroe caught up with the Ottawa Hills Green Bears baseball coach Chris Hardman to preview the brand new season. As the Toledo Area Athletic Conference (TAAC) gets under way the Green Bears will be looking towards trying to stop the two time current champions Northwood Rangers from making it three-in-a-row. Despite the fact that they have lost all of their pitchers to graduation Green Bears coach Chris Hardman seems hopeful that the 6 new starters in the team will have no problems stepping up into the varsity ranks.

Coach Hardman appears to think the Northwood Rangers are still the team to beat even though his own impressive record often means that the Green Bears are made favorites, he recently told The Toledo Blade that "You have to give the nod to the defending champs, but I think we'll have a pretty good team." After going (19-7, 8-2 TAAC) Northwood Rangers have also lost some seniors but after ending last season with a (16-15, 7-3) record the head-to head involving the Green Bears and The Rangers seems set to be a thrilling tussle when they meet later in the season.

Along with welcoming back six seniors the Green Bears looking for promising young Scott Tucker (IF/P) to carry on his good defensive work which he started last year, posting a 2-2 record with a 3.89 ERA. Coach Hardman appears to be carrying out a good job of playing down talk of being favorites according to Munroe's article the coach thinks that the Green Bears have worked hard to get to where they are and will be quick on the base paths and sound defensively. Monroe went on to remark that the one area where coach Hardman appears to have questions is with pitching.

According to The Toledo Blade, Hardman said "The kids have worked hard to be good. We are always the favorite. But we haven't won the league in three years." The Ottawa Hills Green Bears and the Northwood Rangers may also be facing some pretty stiff competition with Toledo Christian anticipated to do well this year, meaning as the season gets under way the race for the TAAC title ought to be a 3 way tussle
all year long.

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