Senior experience can mean the difference between finishing a season under .500 and winning a state championship for a baseball team.

No squad understands that point more than the Thompson Warriors.

With nine seniors on the varsity roster this season, the Warriors are itching to make a long run into the Class 6A state playoffs.

If there is one senior who can help get them there, it&8217;s shortstop Nick Harris.

Harris, a three-year starter for Thompson, is putting up big numbers on offense and has been a wall for the Warriors on defense.

Harris has a .419 batting average from the plate this season with 26 hits and 19 RBIs.

&8220;Since his first year, we saw that Nick had potential,&8221; Thompson head coach Pat Hamrick said. &8220;He&8217;s having an outstanding season for us.&8221;

But the Warriors&8217; senior leader takes a lot of pride in his fielding as well.

Harris has started for THS at shortstop, third base and has pitched well for Hamrick.

&8220;We can move him around and a lot of different areas,&8221; Hamrick said. &8220;That gives us a lot of flexibility.&8221;

Harris said his main goal is to make a great postseason run in his final year.

&8220;Making the playoffs has been a big goal for us,&8221; he said. &8220;We have to start by winning the region.&8221;

Winning the region could prove to be a difficult challenge for the Warriors. As of Monday, THS was tied with Oak Mountain and Hoover atop of their region with 7-2 records. All seven teams in the region still have a shot of claiming the title.

Hamrick hopes the experience that his core of seniors have will make their task just a little easier.

&8220;If we can win these final region games, we&8217;ll be in a great situation,&8221; Hamrick said. &8220;These seniors have been through a lot of big games over the years and I have a lot of confidence in them.&8221;

Regardless of what happens in his senior season, Harris is already set to play college baseball at Southeast Missouri State University