The Vikings are returning some of their best hitters from one season ago. Tyler Young (Shaker/Latham) led the team in hitting with a .399 average, recorded the most RBIs, and was second in on-base percentage. Playing alongside Young in the outfield is Bobby Peluso (Columbia/East Greenbush) who led the team in on-base percentage with a .491. Batting in the lead-off spot, Peluso was second on the team in hitting with a .398 and had a team-high 12 doubles. Luke Burns (Delaware Academy/Bovina) provides the power in the middle of the lineup for the Vikings. Last year, Burns hit six homeruns and recorded a .573 slugging percentage. He has already signed an early letter of intent with the University at Albany.
Mike Tietjen (Oneonta/Oneonta) is the top returning starter in the pitching rotation for the Vikings. Tietjen went 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA last season. He recorded 31 strikeouts in 28 innings, and will be relied upon to go deep into games this year. Josh Johnson (Tamarac/Wynantskill) enters his second season as the team's top reliever. Johnson posted a 2.57 ERA last season with opponents hitting only a .161 average off him. Three transfers will work their way into the rotation and should see extensive playing time. Michael Hughes (Albany/Albany), a transfer from Coastal Carolina, should battle for the top pitching spot in the lineup this season. Canisius College transfer Randy Bowers (Bethlehem/Portsmouth, VA) and Franklin Pierce transfer Tim Murdick (Averill Park/East Greenbush) should find themselves in the starting pitching rotation this season, playing big roles for the Vikings. This is a very deep team that can hopefully make a push for a championship.