Seahawk Junior Varsity Infielder Josh Castillo throws to first base during practice on Monday. Riviera- Kaufer High School’s JV baseball team is 2-0 in District 32-3A heading into their game against visiting San Diego at 5 p m. on Friday. The Seahawk varsity baseball team hosts the Vaqueros at 7 p m. on Friday. Heading into their game against Premont on Tuesday, Riviera-Kaufer High School’s varsity baseball team was 2-0 in District 32-2A (13-4 overall) and tied for first place with San Diego.

The Seahawks toughed it out during non-conference play earlier this season.

“Our preseason went well and as I expected it,” Head Coach Joseph R. Pickens said after practice on Monday. “We did not win the tournaments we played in, though we placed second in all three, but still got some good work in. Overall, we have been hitting the ball and pitching very well and playing very good defense as far as non-district goes.”

Picken’s keenness, however, sharpens once league competition begins.

“I told my guys on day one that there are three seasons: preseason which includes the tournaments, then season two which is district and then the third season which is the playoffs,” Pickens said. “I do not take preseason too lightly or too serious compared to when it comes time to play our district games where every win is a must and you’re playing for the district title which is what we have going on right now. So I look at it as being 0-0 when district starts and right now we are 2-0 and want to carry that mentality into the postseason as well.”

Right now Pickens is asking his players to show more discipline at the plate.

“We strike out a lot, more than I’d like to,” he said. “We have a tough time when we get two strikes against us because we tend to take the next one down the middle or swing at balls in the dirt. We need to do a better job of putting the ball in play, making the other team play catch and defense.”

Should they improve their batting, the Seahawks are confident they are as legitimate as any contender in 32- 2A.

“Realistically, our goal from day one has been to win a district championship,” Pickens said. “I think we are good enough to contend for the district title along with Bishop, Hebbronville and San Diego who is right in the hunt too.”

Kaufer was shown the door by Danbury in a single game at the area round of the playoffs last year.

“If we would have played them in a three game series, who knows what would have happened but the way the dominoes fell put us in a one game playoff,” Pickens said.

Most of that 2009 team - including the whole infield - is back this season with some veterans filling in gaps.

“We have two good young arms - J.D. Moya and Heston Van Fleet - who pitched a lot last year,” Pickens said. “Heston has also stepped in at third base while Britt Reynolds is covering first so things are going well for us right now.”

The Seahawk varsity and junior varsity baseball teams host San Diego at 5 p.m. and 7 p m. on Friday.