The Montour High School baseball team looked to be in great shape to make a run at the WPIAL Class AAA title last year.

At the time, the Spartans were the defending champions in Section 3-AAA and had advanced to the WPIAL semifinals in 2006. They carried that momentum into the 2007 season and started 9-0 overall, 2-0 in section play.

But the Spartans' hopes of the school's first WPIAL title since 1972 quickly faded. Montour struggled to finish 13-6, were 6-6 in section play and missed the playoffs.

"Last year was obviously a big disappointment," third-year coach Glenn Vietmeier said. "We expected big things, and we just fell apart. I have to take the blame. I'm the head coach."

With just three lettermen returning, the Spartans will begin the 2008 season minus those lofty expectations.

"It will be good to be the underdog," Vietmeier said. "Last year, we started off great, and it was tough to have that target on our back. This year will be a lot less stressful. We have a lot of work to do with a lot of young players."

In all, the Spartans had nine players graduate from last year's team. The key departures include all-section first baseman Butch Kriger (.484 average, 26 RBIs, 29 runs), all-section shortstop Bryce Pfeuffer and pitcher Jim Teyssier (5-1 record).

"Two years ago, that group of guys made it all the way to the WPIAL semifinals," Vietmeier said. "Each and every one of those players was special to me. It's going to be hard to replace some of those players.

"But I look at the young talent coming up in the system, and I sort of feel like it's spring time. There's a new breath of fresh air coming up. Hopefully, we can overcome our inexperience with talent and heart."

Montour's expected contributors include senior Greg Clarke at third base, junior Tom Birko at shortstop, sophomore Tyler Amrhein at second base and sophomore Paul Indriohovic at first base.

Others include senior catcher Paul Tutino, junior left fielders Alex Clemens and Tony Mattarazzo, senior center fielder Frank Mattarazzo, junior right fielder Dan Blumling, sophomore right fielder Phil Peckich, senior pitcher Ryan Traurig and junior pitcher Tim Picard.

The Spartans were scheduled to open the 2008 season Tuesday at home against Seton-La Salle after earlier games against North Allegheny and Mars were cancelled.

"We're as ready as we can be," Vietmeier said. "We practiced outside [Monday]. Everybody is in the same boat. Being stuck in the gym can be tough."

Montour will travel Wednesday for a trip to to play at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., through April 6 before returning home to start section play.

Once section play starts, Vietmeier expects West Allegheny to be the favorite.

"I give West A the thumbs-up this year," he said. "They've got a great coach [Bryan Cornell]. He has the talent, and he's going to ride it all the way. He wants to win a state championship, and I don't blame him. That would be my goal, too. West A is probably the best team out there in all of [district high school] baseball.

"After that, it's going to be a dogfight. Everyone has lost players. Everyone is shooting to be one of the top three teams."

Vietmeier hopes his players have learned a lesson and will avoid another late-season slump.

"I think they've learned one thing, and it's something I've always said. You've got to play as a team," he said. "No matter how good your individual players are, it still takes a team effort to win.

"Now that last year happened, the kids are buying into my system ... that it takes a team concept. That's the only way success is going to happen."