``I told them they shouldn’t accept losing any games,’’ Dubben, who lost just one starter from last year’s 14-4 team. ``There’s no reason we shouldn’t shoot for running the table.’’

Part of the reason for Dubben’s optimism is a stable of hard-throwing pitchers, including senior Steve Herringshaw, who figures to be the ace of the staff.

``Steve throws in the low to mid-80s,’’ Dubben said. ``He’s got three or four pitches, including a wicked curveball. I think he’s good enough to be playing college ball somewhere next year.’’

Herringshaw, a Tri-Valley first team All Star last year, got the win in relief in last year’s T-V title game victory over Edmeston last May. Herringshaw hit .439 a year ago.

Dubben said 13 members of the team can pitch during the season if the need arises.

``We’ve got a bunch of hard throwers,’’ he said.

Brothers Ben, a senior, and Adam, a sophomore who Dubben said has a ``live arm’’, will likely be next in line behind Herringshaw.

Junior Anthony Brant (.371 in �06), Jeremy Hoag, Dave Adams and Shawn Sheldon all have varsity pitching experience, and newcomers Cody Duncan and Zack Posonic also have pitching potential, according to Dubben. Hoag (.345 last year) and Ian Hall (.340) will likely anchor two outfield spots. Hall is also the Patriots’ top base stealing threat.

The Patriots’ only loss to graduation was Hyde Clarke, but he was a big loss, as he was the team’s top pitcher and hitter a year ago and a first team All Star with a .534 average and 26 runs batted in.

Senior catcher Mathias Vanderwerker, who had the game-winning hit against Edmeston in the title game, hit .415 a year ago and is also likely the top catcher in the league, Dubben said.

``We have guys who can play a lot of different positions which gives us great depth too,’’ Dubben said.

Although the Patriots captured their fourth Tri-Valley division title in five years and won the championship game as well, the season ended on a disappointing note with a first round sectional loss to Schenevus.

``We definitely think we have the talent to repeat, but that loss to Schenevus was a hard one to take and it’s my job to get them to focus on each and every game this year,’’ Dubben said. ``We’d like to go quite a ways further than that this year.’’

Dubben said Worcester, Schenevus and Milford all figure to be competitive in the T-V East, and Edmeston is always good in the West division.

The Patriots are scheduled to open the season March 28 against Gilboa in a non-league contest, and Dubben said that game might be played at Oneonta State.