Veteran Oldenburg Academy baseball coach Doug Behlmer had several important ingredients picked from his pantry following a regional finals appearance last spring. 
After falling to state runner-up Shakamak and concluding a 16-8 season, the Twister roster not only suffered a loss of six graduating seniors – Chris Hautman, Andrew Oesterling, Colton Schuckmann, Nicholas Hoff, Riley Schebler and Patrick Thompson (five of these being starters) – but also saw starting infielders Charlie Schebler and Trevor Moizuk enroll at new schools in the fall.
That leaves a quartet of regulars to lead the way in 2022: outfielder Nick Folop, starting pitcher/outfielder Caleb Lehman, outfielder/pitcher Frank Moorman and outfielder Mark Wolfe. It also opens a slew of opportunities for youngsters looking to make their mark on the diamond.
Junior Jacob Hoff appears to inherit the shin guards from his brother, laying down the signs for the Twisters' staff. Although seniors, Nathan Schuman and Tyler Wuestefeld will seek to carve out significant roles in the OA lineup for the first time. Both are infielders by defensive trade and Wuestefeld will be counted on to pitch as well. 
Last year, the Twisters started the season on fire with 32 runs scored in the first three games compared to just one earned run allowed; also in that mix was the program's first run-rule win over the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference's Lawrenceburg Tigers. By late April, Oldenburg had climbed to first the No. 2 position in Indiana's Class A rankings and then took over the top spot for a spell. By mid-May, the Twisters were still recognized in the top three despite incurring seven losses. 
After claiming the Jac-Cen-Del sectional with a combined 30-3 run differential over Trinity Lutheran, Hauser and Rising Sun, another program first came with a 15-3 regional win over Traders Point Christian.
Behlmer's coaching staff is expected to include longtime assistant – and OA athletic director - Patrick Kolks and assistant coaches Matthew Bohman and Tyler Hogg.
OA starts the new campaign Saturday at Milton, facing the Cambridge City Lincoln Golden Eagles. The home opener – OA's nine typically play their contests at Batesville's Liberty Park – is Tuesday against the Waldron Mohawks. 
Other home outings include Rising Sun (April 8), Jac-Cen-Del (April 9), South Ripley (April 12), Greenwood Christian Academy (April 19), Lawrenceburg (April 20), South Decatur (April 26), Greensburg (April 29), Southwestern Hanover (May 2), Trinity Lutheran (May 3), Indianapolis Genesis (May 7), Seton Catholic (May 11), Switzerland County (May 14), Edinburgh (May 17) and Madison Shawe (May 20).