The Cougars of Canoe are three weeks into baseball practice and second-year head coach Josh Daugett can already see a difference from last year.

Despite the poor weather conditions, Daugett has been finding ways for his team to practice.

Daugett said what he has seen at practice he has liked so far.

“We are still working on some fundamentals,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of good things though. We have pretty much everyone back and all of them are looking stronger and faster than last season.”

Even with the cold weather, the Cougars are getting in work no matter what.

Daugett said he thinks the work in the cold weather will pay off.

“I think practicing in the conditions we have had will help with our early games where the weather is colder,” he said.

Defensively, the Cougars will again be strong in pitching and they will boast more depth.

Daugett said his ace is back, but he has seen more development on the mound.

“Pitching will be big for us this year,” he said. “Keaton (Maher) is back and will be even better this season. We also have three or four more pitchers than last season, which will help us in depth.”

At the plate, Daugett is benefiting from the chance to have multiple lineups.

He said he knows who his Top 3 will be, but is still working out the rest.

“We will have a lot more power this year,” Daugett said. “With Keaton, Ryan (Linam) and Bryan (Ross), I feel more potential for power hitting. I’ve already made three line ups, but I’m still figuring out our four, five and six batters.”

The Cougars open their season on Feb. 25 at Central (Fla.) High School.