Forced to travel to Massachusetts to find a practice field, the Hopkinton High School baseball team hopes to return to the Granite State with a swing similar to the one that helped produce a 38-6 record the last two years.

The Hawks, who ended 2007 with a 16-2 record after falling in the quarterfinals of the Class M state tournament, will be paced by six seniors. Head coach Dave Chase said this group’s impact can’t be underestimated in the club’s continued success – and postseason improvement.

“It can be tough to stay consistent, but when you get a younger class that hasn’t had success, it can be (especially) tough. This is an experienced team,” he said. “Teams that struggle to win games don’t have experience. I feel that when we go out on the field, (we) expect to win. When you hope to win, you’ve defeated yourself already. These guys have confidence.”

Chase said his squad may shift approaches this year, unable to rely on power alone.

“We have to keep going with the work ethic and be a little more serious, and execute the little things. We had a hard time getting bunts down and stealing bases (in 2007),” said Chase. “Working on execution will help the team get a little further than last year. We might have to turn into a small-ball team, giving up outs for runs and extra bases.”

Shortstop and pitcher David Brandt sparks the attack from the leadoff hole, and Nick Babson is important both at the plate and behind it, handling the pitching staff from his catcher’s position.

Seniors Matt Demers, Matt Story, Sean Pirttiaho and Dan Forrester are four more key cogs in the lineup, although Chase said Forrester, struggling with a shoulder injury, has yet to throw the ball or swing a bat yet during the preseason.

Hopkinton has six returning starters from last year’s team, an advantage Chase said has helped propel the Hawks through a rather claustrophobic preseason with limited outdoor practice time.