There were few highlights in 2009 as the Colfax High baseball team struggled to a 4-12 overall record. But the Falcons have a few impressive notches to hang their hats on as they head into this spring.

They were the last team to knock off Placer, which won the Division IV section championship last year. Returning shortstop Scott Wright looks like a star in the making after batting over .400 last year as a sophomore, senior Justin Abbott looks ready to step in as the team’s ace and coach Mike McCabe is back at the varsity level after seven years.

McCabe spent the last three years as Colfax’s junior varsity coach, so he’s familiar with the athletes he’s got on the diamond this spring. He took over the varsity job only recently after Tom Hammann stepped down, citing a lack of time because of an increased workload at his full-time job.

“Tom and (athletic director Rob Hitchcock) asked me if I would take it over and I didn’t want to let the boys down,” said McCabe, who was co-coach with Tim Day from 1998 through 2003. “It’s a great bunch of kids. We’re young, but they’re very coachable. It’s a fun group.”

McCabe’s youngest son Matthew is an assistant coach, working with the hitters, while Mike handles the pitchers and catchers.

Abbott saw limited innings last year, but he’ll be the Falcons’ go-to pitcher this season. The senior also plays third base. Alongside him in the infield is Wright, who batted .415 last season and should be a sparkplug in the lineup again.

McCabe is also hoping for big things from senior Kyle Pierce, who plays center field and is one of the team’s top hitters.

“Those are our two big bats,” McCabe said of Pierce and Wright. “But I think we’re going to get some surprises from some other guys too.”

Senior Steven Smith is a three-sport athlete that will play a variety of positions when he’s done with his duties on the Colfax basketball team. Junior outfielder Jake Karbowski was called up in the middle of last season from the JV squad and has shown great improvement.

Junior Timmy Smith will take over at second base and junior Adam Acrich will play in the outfield. Junior Avery Baccala can play the outfield, first base and will toe the mound.

McCabe has four sophomores on the roster, including Austin Young, an imposing pitcher. In his varsity debut against Golden Sierra earlier this week he pitched three scoreless innings, giving up just one hit.

“He throws hard,” McCabe said.

Michael Moore steps in at catcher, where Nick Turcotte led the Falcons the last three years. Sam Guzman and Roger Lillie will also play major roles for the young Colfax squad.

“Our seniors are really helping to bring these guys along,” McCabe said. “I think we’ll surprise a lot of teams. We should be underdogs in every game, looking at last year, but I always set the bar high. I think we should be in the playoffs.”

The Falcons went just 3-9 in the Pioneer Valley League last season. They’ve never won a section title, but McCabe would love to build a program that can contend with PVL powers Placer and El Dorado.

The veteran coach, who played at Cosumnes River College, knows a little something about the building process. He’s semi-retired after working for 30 years at Cal Expo and is still in charge of setup and maintenance for the California State Fair.

Colfax beat Golden Sierra in its season opener earlier this week. Moore was outstanding in his varsity debut, going 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs to lead the Falcons. Abbott had a pair of hits and Wright had two steals.

Colfax will host Forest Lake on Monday.