As the American River College baseball season begins, the team looks to build upon last season’s power-hitting performance and solve their pitching troubles.

For the Beavers it signifies the thirteenth season coach Doug Jumelet has been in charge of the team. Despite finishing with a less-than-ideal record of 11-23 last season, the Beavers have a lot to build on. They led the league in batting average, hitting .285, and the Beavers also handed the state’s number two-ranked Diablo Valley two consecutive losses. “I’m very optimistic about the team’s season this year, our chemistry is better than last season. We don’t have the talent we had last season, but now we have a team,” said coach Jumelet

The 2012 Beavers look to keep the bats hot. They will be led by a group of returning, powerful hitters, including leadoff hitter and second baseman Kelcey Wirick, center fielder T.J. Meleski, designated hitter Wyatt Moreland, and transferring to us from Delta College top catching prospect Tyler Eppler.  Last season the Beavers lacked the big hit; they left 302 men on base, while only scoring 169 runs. Jumelet hopes to have solved their batting woes by reshaping the lineup.

On the mound, the Beavers have Jason Fletcher returning, who finished with a record of 2-1 last season. Jumelet believes the pitching will be more consistent than last season.

“We have less speed on the mound, but our pitchers have more control,” said Jumelet. The Beavers allowed a league-leading 185 walks last season and an earned run average of nearly six.

The Beavers kicked off their season Jan. 28 with the alumni blue and white game. The bats were swinging, and in the end, the blue team won.

The Beavers’ next home game is a doubleheader on Thursday, Feb. 9 vs. Shasta College at 2 p.m.