FERRIDAY — Despite a 1-3 record, Huntington baseball coach Leo Eliser is very optimistic about the Hounds’ season.

The Hounds rallied to beat Tallulah Academy Saturday before falling to Centreville Monday. To start the season, Huntington lost to Adams County Christian 14-1 March 2 before falling to Riverfield Academy 5-3 the next day.

But Huntington stayed competitive through all five innings of that second game, a bright side Eliser said he’s seen so far.

“They stepped it up,” he said. “We hit the ball a little better than we have been, and we were in it the whole time. Overall, I was real pleased with the showing, even though we did lose.”

Eliser was especially pleased with the pitching in that game — freshman Brandon Horne threw about 80 pitches for the Hounds.

“He did an excellent job,” Eliser said. “We made a couple errors and a couple mental mistakes behind him to give them the game.”

Huntington’s biggest problem this season is trying to solidify a few defensive spots.

The Hounds return seven starters as seniors this season, but they still have to use some underclassmen in the infield and outfield.

“I’m still searching for a few positions,” Eliser said. “It’s kind of hard to move guys around like that because they don’t really get to learn one position the whole time. We’re swapping out guys for pitching and all that.”

Eliser said he still has one big hole in the infield and one in the outfield. Sophomore Hunter Knapp started behind the plate against Riverfield and ACCS because the regular catcher’s arm was sore.

Tyler Peré was also out all weekend because he was playing in the MPSA All-Star Basketball Game.

But Eliser said every team in MPSA District 6-A is in a similar position of having holes in the roster, which means the Hounds have a viable shot at a district title.

District play started Friday with the 15-11 win against Tallulah.

“We had two real good days of practice, and the kids were really up for it,” he said. “Those district games are real important if we want to make it into the postseason. All the teams are trying to feel their way in the beginning of the season, so I think we have an excellent shot.”