Fishers High School baseball coach Matthew Cherry doesn’t shy away from the fact that this season’s 11-18 record was a disappointment, but he believes the program is on the verge of turning that record around. He took a few moments to talk about a senior class that has been the foundation of the program and what the team is doing to improve:

Question: What were your general feelings on the season?

Answer:We definitely had some ups and downs. We didn’t play up to the level we hoped we could and, obviously, didn’t finish with the record we were looking for. We had several games slip through our hands (with seven one-run losses). I feel like I’ve been saying this every year, but we’re really close to getting it turned around.

We’ll miss the seniors. They were a big part of building up this program, but we were also starting as many as three freshmen and three sophomores at any one time (by the end of the season).

Q: What do you do to turn the record around?

A:We’re going to work hard on developing arm strength this offseason by implementing a new program. We need more consistent pitching. We’d shut teams out one game, then the next we’re walking 11 guys. We’re going to change around things we do offensively and work at some different drills and different ways to get guys in proper hitting position. We need a better offensive game plan and we’re moving in that direction.

Q: What did this senior class mean to the program?

A:There’re six (seniors), and we’ll miss them all. They started with us that first year as sophomores after transferring over from Hamilton Southeastern. They bought into our ideas and helped build the program. Kevin Schlotter was a three-year starter at catcher and shortstop, led the team offensively and did a lot of things behind the scenes.

Ray Calloway stepped up and had a great year (this season). I hope he’ll be an Indiana All-Star with the way he played. Zach Foley was a big part of our pitching staff for three years. Greg Murray, Jacob Banitt and Tyler Hoberty will all be missed, too, for what they did for this program as leaders.

Q: Who are the key players returning?

A:J.P. Pena really came along as a shortstop, and I’m excited to see him develop more defensively and, as he gets older, as an offensive player. Drew Clark started at four positions — designated hitter, right field, second base and third base — and hit No. 2 in the lineup with an average over .300. Ben Taylor, Colin Brooke and Matt Woosley will be back for their fourth varsity seasons, and I’m really excited about sophomores Koby Orris, Ant Roach and Connor McCalley.

Q: What were the highlights of the season?

A:(Beating New Palestine at) Victory Field. Every one of the players mentioned that as a favorite baseball memory. Definitely that, and sweeping Harrison, our first conference sweep, especially because it was two shutout victories.