Youth and inexperience always seem to be roadblocks that prevent a team from reaching a certain level of success.

For Moorpark College Raiders baseball, these factors have resulted in an up-and-down season of constant inconsistency.

However, the Raiders hope to keep pushing towards their lofty goals.

The Raiders face the road block of youth, starting six freshmen that have helped compile a 5-6-1 non-conference record.

While their play rides like a rollercoaster, players still hold aspirations of winning not only the conference, but the state championship as well as they enter Western State Conference play.

Sophomore pitcher Matt Montgomery is confident and hopes the team can reach the team’s high expectations.

“We hope to achieve a conference championship, and hopefully a state championship when we make it there,” said Montgomery.

The non-conference schedule has played an important role in preparing the Raiders’ WSC conference play, as well as letting them know what the team’s strengths and weaknesses are.

Freshman pitcher Brent Stalley believes that while non-conference is important in helping to define and prepare the team, it is ultimately unimportant in the long run.

“It’s pretty important… to see what kind of team we got, what we need to work on and our strengths and weaknesses,” Stalley said. “To win in non-conference games is pretty big but when it comes down to things, it’s not the most important.”

For Raiders’ head coach Mario Porto, the inconsistency of the early part of the season isn’t much of a surprise.

“We’re right where I thought we would be,” Porto said. “We’re one game under .500 [5-6-1]. When you start six freshmen this is where you are at.”

Although he has a young squad, Porto believes their work ethic is their strongest attribute and can help them develop that consistency they yearn for.

The Raiders look to make a strong push toward their aspirations when they open up conference play Tuesday, March 9 at home against Allan Hancock College. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.