The Swift Current Indians kick off their quest for a Western Major Baseball League title when they travel to Melville tonight to face the defending champion Millionaires in the season opener.
It's a rematch of the second-round playoff series from last season, where the Moneymen eliminated the Tribe in five games, and Indians Coach Joe Carnahan says they expect the Mils to be a strong team again.
"They'll probably have quite a few new faces this year again, but the same type of team," he said. "They'll be a physical team and they'll have some good arms and run the bases. They'll have a target on their back and we got to get after them."
Carnahan says although they still have some players still to finish their college ball seasons and come to Swift Current for the season, they're ready to go to open things up, adding they have a strong core of returning players.
"We have a lot of guys that did well for us last year, and we had an opportunity to get them back this year," he said. "It's always nice on the baseball field, but also off the field, just getting the new guys used to Swift Current and you get to gel a little bit quicker."
Pitcher Fernando Pena is scheduled to start for the Tribe on the mound tonight.
The Indians will then return to Mitchell Field Saturday for their home opener against the Weyburn Beavers.