As the old saying goes, your success is all about your attitude. The Hornet football program showed last season that with a slight attitude problem, a winning program never came to fruition.

This spring, the attitude of the Hornet baseball team might just help them become a successful, and winning, independent ballclub.

Last season, they finished 22-34 overall with a disappointing 4-20 record in the Big West Conference. So, what worse way to deter their hopes this season than to be kicked out of the Big West, leaving the team without much hope of a playoff berth.

To even be considered for a playoff spot this year, the Hornets need to win at least 35 Div. I games this season. That’s a fairly big mountain to climb, considering they only have 49 total Div. I games on the schedule.

Yet, the team seems optimistic. Returning centerfielder Tim Reimer is in perfectly good spirits about the team’s chances.

“It sucks we can’t win a conference,” Reimer said. “But at the same time it’s motivating, because now every single game counts. Our guys are hungry.”

Although he admits the Big West fallout is somewhat disappointing, assistant coach Rusty McLain looks at nothing but the positive side.

“We still get to play very good and very competitive teams,” McLain said. “We have nine games with the Pac-10, nine games with the Big West, nine games against the (Western Athletic Conference) and another nine games against (West Coast Conference) teams. And we figure, since we’re not in any of their conferences, they might take us lightly and we can catch some very good teams by surprise.”

With returning stars like Reimer and pitcher Steve Cuckovich, as well as potential breakout newcomers like infielder John Acha (of Modesto Junior College), the team does indeed have something to look forward to.

“We have an extremely deep roster this year,” McLain said. “In fact, it’s probably too deep.”

Perhaps the brightest star for the team is slugging first baseman Chris Kinsey, who also seconds as a solid starting pitcher.

The junior is only 12 home runs shy of the all-time school record set by Harvey Hargrove. He led the team last year, not only in home runs, but in RBIs, batting average, at bats, hits, total bases and slugging percentage.

With such an impressive resume, the humble and soft-spoken Kinsey would never lead you to believe he’s such a prodigy. When asked for comment about the home run record, he appeared unaware of it.

“I guess I could be close,” Kinsey said. “I don’t know what to say. If I do, that’s great.”

Immediately, and not surprisingly, he changed the subject to his teammates, bringing up new arrivals like Cliff Hinkle and Steve Correa.

Leadoff man Tim Reimer also has high expectations, not only from teammates, but also from himself.

“My personal goal is to steal 40 bases this year and to hit at least .330,” said Reimer, who stole 14 bases and hit .314 with the Hornets last spring.

“My biggest goal, though, is for our team to do well. I want to win 35 games,” he added.

“Last year, we had trouble bringing people in to watch the games, but I think that’s all going to change. The new stadium is a sign of a new beginning, I think.”

Pitching, as they say, is 90 percent of the game, and this year the Hornets have stocked up with good pitchers.

“We have 14 pitchers this year,” McLain said. “So, we’ll be leaning on the bullpen for us to win games.”

Assistant coach Paul Martinez agrees that pitching will be a more solid aspect to the Hornets’ roster this year.

“We have a tremendous pitching staff,” Martinez said. “With guys like Steve Correa and guys like Chris Kinsey improving their performances, I see us having a very good year.”

So, this begs the question, is the Hornet baseball team going to be Sac State’s Cinderella story this year?

“I think we’re going to surprise people,” McLain said. “I really see a great story emerging. Every player is cohesive and fights every pitch.”

As baseball season grows closer, this hungry crop of talent gets prepared for nothing short of an improbable uphill battle. The Hornets start the season at home with the Alumni Game on Saturday at Hornet field. They then travel to Chico State on Sunday for a doubleheader with Oregon Tech.