The 2014 high school baseball season begins this afternoon as the Fountain Hills squad prepares to host its annual Falcon Invitational Tournament.

The boys in blue are set to play their first game of this four-day event at 3:30 p.m. today against Apache Junction. The Falcons will play Holbrook Thursday, Feb. 27, at the same time, with a game against Camp Verde Friday, again at the same time.

If the Falcons do well enough, they’ll then play in the tournament final Saturday, March 1, with a time still to be determined.

Next week sees the Falcons taking part in another four-day tournament beginning with a 5:30 p.m. game against San Manuel Wednesday, March 5. That game will be hosted out of Florence, the tournament site. Additional games are scheduled through the end of the week.

With the 2013 Falcons being crowned state champs, head coach Mike Briguglio said he hopes these tournaments will be the kickoff point of another successful season for the local program.

“Last year saw an exciting end to a great season,” Briguglio said.

“It was a state championship that started being built about four years ago when I had last year’s sophomores and juniors in sixth and seventh grade. I knew they were good then, so I think last year, combined with the good senior leadership we had last year, was the culmination of that.”

Briguglio referred to this chain of events as a “perfect storm” and, seeing as how most of those athletes are back for another season, he’s hoping to see lightning strike twice.

“Our sophomores are all bigger and stronger as juniors this year,” Briguglio said.

“They’re hitting the ball further and throwing the ball harder. They were talented as it was as sophomores, so they’re even better now.”

Briguglio said his senior leadership players are refining their skills and continuing to improve and, most importantly, they’re hungry to win again.

The Falcons have seven starters returning to the field this year, as well as the entire pitching staff.

Still, he said the Falcons are always looking for ways to improve.

“Our defense in general could use some work, and part of that is due to the fact that we’re just now getting some basketball guys back,” Briguglio added.

“We’ve been plugging guys into different positions to fill the gaps, but we should be getting back to normal soon. It’s a daily process.”

On the flip side, Briguglio said the hitting and pitching have been as strong as ever, showing signs of being the team’s early highlights.

Briguglio said that team chemistry was strong last season, which is something he’s looking forward to seeing continue in 2014.

“Winning the state championship is always our goal,” he added.

“Repeating, I think, is harder than winning the first time. That, itself, is I think a big enough goal for us.”

This year’s team is very junior and senior dominated, and Briguglio said his guys are very focused on that goal.

“Every year is different because of the personalities of each team,” he said.

“This year, I feel like I need to create a sense of urgency on a daily basis. I know how good we are and I don’t want the kids to get complacent. It’s a daily process of keeping them engaged and feeling a sense of urgency.”

When asked what the team’s greatest strength is this season, Briguglio answered “pitching” instantly.

“We’ve got three very good, experienced pitchers, including Andrew Bryniarski, Davin Foyle and Nick Wojtysiak,” he added.

“They’re three starting pitchers that are as good as anyone in the state, and I think that’s a huge strength.”

Looking ahead, Briguglio said that fans should look forward to some good, hard-nosed baseball in a fun setting.

“It’ll be crisp, clean and very competitive,” he concluded.

“We’ve got music and announcers and the weather is perfect. It’s just a nice place to watch a ballgame.”