But they jumped to 11 wins in Isaac’s first season two years ago and went 14-10 last spring, reaching the Division IV sectional finals and coming within one victory of sharing the Ohio Heritage Conference title.
After enduring a dreary start to their careers, the players are percolating with optimism.
“I walked in my first year, and I saw a bunch of guys who were starving for something,” Isaac said. “They had no belief they could win a game or close a game out. Now, I see guys who have been in that situation. I’m seeing confidence. They’re excited for the season.”
As for Isaac, the coaching bug never left after leading the Shawnee baseball program for nine years and then leaving to work in administration in the school district in 2009.
“I’m a baseball guy, and I love athletics,” he said. “I love what it can teach kids.
“I had an opportunity to come home. I graduated from Southeastern (in 1990) and have daughters here. It was a win-win situation. This is my community, and I love being here.”
The Trojans return two first-team All-OHC players in senior shortstop Trevor King and junior pitcher Wes Earles, a second-team selection in senior pitcher Andrew Lyons and an honorable mention pick in senior first baseman Garrett Hunter.
But Isaac didn’t have his full squad for the first 3½ weeks of preseason practice because the Southeastern basketball team went 24-2 and reached the D-IV district finals. Nine of 22 baseball players compete in both sports, including Lyons, who was the OHC South Division player of the year, and King, who was a first-team all-league pick.
Isaac, though, is adamant that the late start isn’t a disadvantage.
“If you’d have asked me when I first started coaching, I would have said, ‘Yeah, I’m way behind. I’m stressed out,’ ” he said. “But you’re talking about your best athletes in the school. They played a lot of summer ball. They played at a high level. They know what to do to get in shape.
“It does hurt the pitchers a little bit. I can’t rush them. A lot of guys have to step up until they get there. But in a sense, it made our program better. We coached the heck out of the freshmen and sophomores.”
Lyons tossed the first no-hitter for Southeastern in five years last season and finished 5-2 with a 2.45 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 51 innings. He also batted .385.
“He gives you everything he’s got. He’s a bulldog,” Isaac said.
The lefty Earles, a Division I college recruit, had 55 K’s in 42 innings. He also plays center field and batted .273.
“He throws 85 (mph), up to 88-89, and you don’t see that very often in Division IV baseball,” Isaac said.
Those two will anchor an experienced pitching staff, while King, who batted .397, is the Trojans’ unquestioned leader.
“We like to call Trevor our sheriff,” Isaac said. “It’s his team. The players rally around him. When Trevor speaks, they listen.”
Hunter is a four-year varsity letter-winner and outstanding in the field. Trevor’s brother, Tyler, a 6-foot-1 junior, will play catcher.
“He has the same ability as Trevor and Wes,” Isaac said of Tyler. “He has a Division-I arm. He has a Division-I body. He loves baseball.
“You’ve got to be strong up the middle or you’re going to struggle in baseball. Tyler keeps runners (from stealing) and calls the game for us.”
The Trojans opener is at 11 a.m. Saturday against visiting Oakwood.
“As a coaching staff, it’s exciting,” Isaac said. “With as many returning starters as we have, plus all our pitchers are back — and, hopefully, they’ll all stay healthy — I look for us to be very competitive in our league.”
Decorated coach: Isaac was a three-time all-conference player at Wittenberg and is a member of the Clark County and Dayton Amateur Baseball Commission Halls of Fame.
Good eyes: The Trojans have a slew of excellent contact hitters. Trevor King had four strikeouts in 78 at-bats, Hunter five in 75 and Lyons eight in 78.
Serving his country: Senior Jay Connor, a veteran starting pitcher, has committed to joining the Navy after graduation.
“He’s an awesome, respectful young man,” Isaac said. “He’s a tremendous athlete and just a consummate team player.”
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