From the moment that I was introduced to Rock Bridge High School's standout upperclassmen, I immediately knew that it wasn't going to be your average interview.  Before we were even situated and ready to talk, the guys were ribbing each other and laughing hysterically; as if we were all teammates loitering in the outfield during batting practice. 

Their humor and overall spontaneity offered a glimpse into the solidarity that made the Bruins such a successful team in 2010, and already has them pegged as one of the top Class 4A programs in Missouri. Lead by current seniors John Miles, Wilson Pfieffer, Travis Bittle, and Landon Clapp, and junior Ryan Phillips, the team is anxious for the 2011 season to begin.  After taking the field together for the better part of the last decade -- Phillips and Clapp were even teammates on the Daniel Boone Little League team that advanced to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania -- the 2011 season will be their last hurrah.  And for this group, that's all the more reason to go out on top.

In 2010, Rock Bridge put together a remarkable season after finishing with an overall record of 24-3, and a fifth-place finish in the Class 4A State Tournament.  Over the course of the season, the Bruins also garnered a #1 state ranking thanks in part to their three-headed monster starting rotation of Phillips, Miles, and Bittle.

Now, a year later, the team is returning 22 wins to the mound and poised for another run at a state title.

"We feel that we have a shot with any of our pitchers," said senior catcher Wilson Pfieffer.  And it's not as if his statement lacks justification.

Last season, 5-foot-10, 170-pound Ryan Phillips emerged as one of the top two-way players in the state, carving his name into the Rock Bridge High School record books in the process.  At the plate, the sophomore hit .476 with 11 doubles, a home run, and 23 RBI.

On the mound, Phillips was nothing short of dominant, posting a 9-1 record with a 1.19 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 53 innings.  A starter since he was freshman, Phillips is a two-time selection to play for Team Missouri in the Jr. Sunbelt Games, as well as two-time All-Area and All-District performer.  However, it was last year's success on the bump that earned him a spot on the prestigious First Team All-State squad.  Even though he is only entering his junior season, Phillips has already established himself as one of the premier players in the Class of 2012.

Senior Travis Bittle figures to be the team's #2 starter after impressive campaigns as both a sophomore and junior.  The 6-foot-2, 205-pound, Truman State commit, broke the school's single season saves record (6) in 2009 as just a sophomore.  In 2010 the right-hander made a seamless transition to the starting rotation and was 6-0 with a 3.26 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings.  And like Phillips, Bittle was selected to both the All-District and All-Area teams.

Rounding out the rotation is senior John Miles, who has already committed to play for his hometown Missouri Tigers in 2012.  After logging only six innings as a sophomore in 2009, the imposing 6-foot-3 right-hander put together a strong junior season that included a 6-0 record, 3.11 ERA, and 32 strikeouts in 27 innings.

Due to the enormous success of the team's rotation, there has been little need to use LHP/1B Landon Clapp -- although he has provided a reputable, left-handed arm out of the bullpen.  Clapp, who has already committed to Central Missouri State University, will enter 2011 as the team's starting 1B, a position that he began playing regularly towards the end of previous season.  His smooth, left-handed swing and prowess around the bag has the 5-foot-10, 160-pound senior poised for a strong season.

Wilson Pfieffer will once again be the backstop for the the Bruins, a position that he has manned since hitting .419 with 21 runs and 12 RBI as a sophomore in 2009.  As a junior, Pfieffer hit .366 with 17 runs and 12 RBI.  At 6-foot-1 and 185-pounds, Pfieffer's size and athleticism -- not to mention his knack for calling a game and handling the staff -- garnered numerous looks from Division I coaches before he ultimately committed to the University of Arkansas.

With a core group of players like these, one would think there would be tremendous expectations for the upcoming season.  Although this might very well be the case, their attitude makes them seem impervious to such external pressures.

"We expect ourselves to be better this year," asserted Pfeiffer.  "We lost to Webb City in the Quarterfinals, so we definitely have a chip on our shoulder."

"We're the type of team that likes it when other teams are gunning for us," added a confident John Miles.

Although they only lost three games in 2010, the group is anything but complacent headed into the upcoming season.  In fact, they have already identified what they must improve upon to further last season's success.

"When we lost last year, it seemed that we lost in the first inning," said Phillips, who supposedly wears a different headband to every practice.

"This year our goal is to win every single inning," Miles added.  "That's why we have been doing a ton of competitive weight training; we are preparing ourselves to win every inning."

Still, even at the most serious of times, it is the team's light-hearted attitude that keeps each other loose, and more importantly, keeps the game fun.

"Sometimes the dugout is just too much fun," said Phillips to the delight of his teammates.

"Travis always gives a loud, ridiculous speech before for every game which makes it impossible to not take the field in a good mood," added Pfieffer in between bouts of laughter.

"We seriously have our own lingo during the baseball season, or really whenever we are around each other," noted Miles. "It can be hard to keep up with at times."

While translating their baseball vernacular may take years, their goal of winning a state title in 2011 is clearly conveyed.  One thing is certain, Rock Bridge has both the talent and the collective mindset to be a potential force in Class 4A.  And whether they win a state title or not, I have no doubt that it will be an incredibly memorable season for the five upperclassmen.  

Written by Mike Rosenbaum. To read more columns by Mike, visit his blog, The Golden Sombrero.