Rebuilding years are not a foreign concept for Porters Chapel Academy. Several times during its impressive streak of 13 consecutive playoff appearances, the roster has been overhauled from one year to the next.

It’s not often been like this, however.

Just three regulars are back from last year’s team, and of those, only senior first baseman Sam Staggs played in every game. The best returning pitcher, Talbot Buys, had an ERA approaching 5.00. Jonah Masterson, a two-year starter in center field, is moving to the infield. There’s also a new coach, Wade Patrick.

The Eagles are confident, but admit they have the look of a team in transition as they prepare to open the 2012 season tonight at Glenbrook.

“It’s a rebuilding year, no doubt. But all schools go through this,” Patrick said. “I’ve seen teams that were supposed to be down have great years.”

Even with all of its new players, PCA certainly has the potential to do well. Staggs hit .292 last season and Buys got plenty of mound experience while pitching 312⁄3 innings. Both players, though, will have to pick up the pace to compensate for a couple of unexpected losses.

Utility infielder Cameron Upton hit .423 in 2011, then transferred to Warren Central. Richie Bufkin, a starting outfielder and pitcher, injured his knee during football season and won’t play baseball this spring. Outfielder Kawayne Gaston has also opted not to play baseball.

Those departures have robbed the Eagles of their depth and thrust several underclassmen into the spotlight.

Among them is sophomore Sam Kirk, who is expected to start at shortstop and round out the pitching rotation with Buys and Staggs.

Kirk played in nine games last season, primarily as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement. He only had three varsity at-bats, although he did have a solid year with the junior varsity team.

“I got a good taste of it last year. I think I’ve got a feel for it. I like it more than junior varsity. I like that it’s more competitive,” Kirk said.

Buys, who spent most of the 2011 season as PCA’s No. 3 or 4 pitcher, will also have to adjust to a new role as the team’s ace. He went 3-3 with a 4.68 ERA, 23 strikeouts and 24 walks in 312⁄3 innings, then spent the summer playing with the Jackson 96ers select team.

Buys said the summer work helped his mechanics and velocity.

“I got some pointers and it’s helped a lot,” Buys said. “I’m exploding more off my kick leg. I picked up a couple miles per hour and I’m hitting my spots more.”

A host of other starting positions are still in flux on the eve of the season opener, meaning the Eagles are a work in progress. It’s an odd thought for a program that has won three MAIS Class A championships in the past decade.

It’s also unthinkable, at least to them, that they can’t compete for another.

“It’s different. We’ve just got to keep the tradition going.”

Pitchouts – Porters Chapel

Coach: Wade Patrick (first year)

Last year’s record: 18-10

Key returnees: P/IF Talbot Buys (3-3, 4.68 ERA, 23 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings; .258 batting average); IF Sam Staggs (.292, 16 RBIs, 20 runs scored); IF Jonah Masterson (.255, 11 RBIs)

Key losses: SS/RHP Montana McDaniel, C Jarad Tompkins, IF Cameron Upton, RHP/IF Matthew Warren, RHP/OF Richie Bufkin

Burning questions: Will the Eagles’ young players develop quickly enough to keep their 13-year playoff streak intact? Has the pitching staff improved enough to keep the team in games?