The Nansemond-Suffolk Academy baseball team gets its season under way this weekend in year two under Coach Joey Seal.

The Saints baseball team went 13-9 last season in its first year under the direction of Seal. NSA fell 2-1 in the first round of the state playoffs last year, ending their season.

With Seal returning as a coach with a year under his belt with this group, he feels good about year two.

“We left Steward with a really bad taste in our mouth last season,” Seal said. “We felt like that game was right there for us. I feel like the guys who have experienced that have come back this season even more motivated.”

The last two weeks haven’t been ideal for preparation in terms of weather. However, Seal feels good about what the team has done so far and what they plan on doing for the season.

“Everybody is dealing with the same situations, so you deal with it accordingly,” Seal said. “We just make the most of the opportunities we do have. Regardless of the weather situation, we feel good about ourselves going into the first official game.”

NSA returns a strong group that starts with seniors Zac Morris and Nic Psimas. Both Morris and Psimas have signed to play baseball at the NCAA Division I level and should continue as strong players for the Saints. The Saints also have a transfer, Hyatt Hurst, who is expected to step in and contribute right away. Seth Townsend returns, as well as a group of others who contributed for the Saints last season.

The goal is always to be able to get to the state game. However, Seal believes it’s even more important for the players to continue progressing on and off the field. The Saints want to be focused on every game and playing for each other.

“I want them to be motivated to play hard for each other,” he said. “We talk a lot about how to be a great teammate. Those things are what we expect from each other. You go through the ups and downs of baseball, and we want to remain close through all of that.”

NSA will start this season this Saturday in a double-header with Highland School and Isle of Wight Academy. The first game for NSA will be at 9 a.m.

“We have two really good teams coming in,” Seal said. “We are going to have to play well. Everybody’s in the same boat preparation-wise, so it’s just going to come down to who can do the fundamental things the best.”