An undefeated record. A minuscule ERA. And Oak Forest pitcher Mike Edwards still wasn't completely satisfied with his season as a junior in 2016.

The 6-foot-2 right-hander finished 8-0 with a 0.56 ERA and could have rested on his laurels. The Milwaukee recruit, though, believed there was room for improvement, especially in building up his body.

The result?

He's leaner and meaner.

“I dropped some weight and hit the weight room during the offseason,” Edwards said. “I worked hard at it. I'm a lot stronger than last year.”

Jake Jones, a 6-4 senior righty and Edwards' pitching partner for the Bengals, took a different offseason approach. The Murray State recruit spent more time refining his pitching skills and less time in the weight room.

“I worked on my off-speed pitches and my location,” Jones said. “I feel like I'm better than I've ever been.”

A more powerful Edwards and more polished Jones, who was 8-1 last season, likely will spell serious trouble for opponents this season. At least, that's what Oak Forest coach Ron Czarnecki hopes.

“Both of those guys look better, and that's saying something considering the type of years they had last season,” Czarnecki said. “With Mike and Jake on the mound, we believe we're capable of beating anybody.”

Edwards and Jones are ready to live up to their coach's lofty expectations.

“We're definitely ready for teams coming at us,” Edwards said. “We shouldn't lose a game with me and Jake pitching. We feel like we're the top dogs.”

Edwards' rise among the best pitchers last season was a bit of a surprise. Unlike most heralded prospects, he didn't reach the varsity until his junior season.

He made up for lost time.

Edwards relies on fastball in the upper-80s that often tails in on right-handed hitters. He also has an effective curveball and outstanding change-up.

“Mike's fastball is heavy, and he has a really good change-up,” Jones said. “He's more overpowering than me.”

Jones doesn't throw as hard as Edwards, but he's just as effective. Jones has a fastball that consistently reaches the mid-80s and good change-up. His curveball, however, is his out pitch.

“Jake knows how to keep hitters off balance,” Edwards said. “He has a really good curveball.”

Where Edwards and Jones are similar is an ability to jump ahead in the count and keep hitters guessing.

“My No. 1 goal is to not walk hitters,” Edwards said. “Stay ahead in the count, and when I'm up in the count 0-2 or 1-2, I can throw whatever I want to anyone I want.”

Edwards and Jones aren't exclusively relied on for their pitching, either. They also are expected to generate offense.

Edwards, a left-handed hitter, and Jones will hit near the top of Oak Forest's batting order. When they're not pitching, Jones will mostly play third base, with Edwards at first base.

Besides Edwards and Jones, the Bengals also have promising pitchers in junior Trevor Hausherr and sophomore Connor Oliver.

Jones feels success will hinge on the Bengals' offense.

“Our defense is solid and our pitching will be able to keep opponents to low runs,” Jones said. “If we can get the bats going, we can compete with anyone, including teams in the Catholic Blue.

“A state title — that's all we're thinking about.”

pdisabato@tribpub.com

Twitter @disabato