ARLINGTON — What’s Important Now.

That is the acronym Eagles baseball team has adopted to help change a mentality of waiting for next year to excel on the diamond.

“We’re trying to move away from a culture of ‘better luck next year,’ and focusing on what we can do to win,” said Arlington head coach Erik Heinz.

And this is the year to focus on, with the Eagles returning a number of players at key positions, including one of the better batteries in the league in catcher Dustin Ward and starting pitcher Justin Surber.

“Justin has probably been our most consistent pitcher in the past couple years, and Dustin is a second-year catcher who is very quiet, but solid defensively.”

Those two can also produce at the plate as well. Surber led the team in batting last season, and Ward has been steadily developing more power.

“Justin was a nice surprise for us at the plate last year and Dusting has sort of just grown into hitting at the varsity level,” Heinz said.

The fifth-year coach likes to build his teams up through the middle, and with Garth Rose at shortstop, he feels that the team is ready to better its 5-15 overall, 4-12 Wesco North record from 2009.

“We came just one win away from districts and had five one-run games,” Heinz said. “I think this team is better able to close some of those out.”

When it comes to scoring runs, Heinz said he plans on being a small-ball team with speedy hitters like Brandon Pierce in the outfield.

“We have a couple of guys that can put it in the gaps like Andrew Thomas at first base, but I envision us as a team that manufactures runs,” Heinz said.

Of course, a small-ball team thrives on pitching and defense, which Heinz thinks will be strong suits for this team, with senior Carson Zedrik providing depth on the mound and a deep list of juniors with the ability to deal.

“One thing we’ve lacked is a good No. 1 and depth in the previous years, but I think that is something that we will have this year, with a number of guys getting their chance to pitch,” Heinz said.

Conference champion Marysvlle-Pilchuck remains the team to beat, according to Heinz, with Lake Stevens not too far behind — and a surprise pick.

“I think Oak Harbor is going to sneak up on some people,” Heinz said. “They were a really young team last year that just needed experience.”

The Eagles began their season March 15 at Glacier Peak, but play their first home game against Lynnwood at 4 p.m., March 17.