Lions head to Oklahoma for regional semifinal
By Melinda L. Lucas
The Albany Lions continued their postseason run with a two-game sweep over the Wink Wildcats in the area round of the Class 2A D2 baseball playoffs, played Thursday, May 8 in Colorado City.
Albany now turns its focus to the regional semifinals, with a best-of-three series scheduled against the Gruver Greyhounds.
All games will be played at Ackley Park in Elk City, Oklahoma – possibly the first time the Lions have ever played a game of any kind out of state.
Game 1 is set for Friday, May 16 at 4 p.m., followed by Game 2 approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1, likely around 6:30 p.m. If necessary, Game 3 will be played at 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 17.
There will be no admission charged for any of the games, according to the Albany High School office.
Gruver is undefeated with a 19-0 record, becoming outright district champions after winning all 10 games, then sweeping Lockney and Tahoka in the bi-district and area rounds.
Albany’s victory against Wink bumped their record up to 9-6-3. The Lions swept De Leon in the bi-district round.
Area Details
In Game 1 last Thursday, Albany defeated Wink 6-2 behind a dominant performance on the mound by senior Chip Chambers, who pitched a complete game with 10 strikeouts. “Chip was in command of all pitches,” said head coach David Fairchild. “It was a great outing.”
The Lions racked up nine hits in the opener. Key contributors at the plate included Calhan Fairchild (2-for-4, 1 RBI), Chambers (2-for-3, 1 RBI), Brody Oliver (1-for-3, 1 RBI), and Clay Chapman (1-for-3, 1 RBI). Aiden Vickers went 1-for-3 with an RBI single, while Woods Peterson and Landon Picquet each added a hit.
Fairchild, Vickers and Mason McCloy also stood out defensively.
Oliver, catching behind the plate, threw out a baserunner in a pivotal moment of the game.
Game 2 saw Albany overpower Wink in a 13-0 shutout. Brody Oliver took the mound, allowing just three hits while striking out seven in five innings.
“Brody had control from start to finish,” Fairchild said.
The Lions tallied eight hits in the shutout, led by Vickers (2-for-3, 3 RBIs) and Landon Picquet (1-for-1, 3 RBIs). Shawn Keen added a 2-RBI single, while Wesley Gleitz chipped in with an RBI hit. Fairchild, Chambers, and Oliver also collected hits.
Behind the plate, Clay Chapman shined, throwing out two baserunners.
“I’m very proud of these young men,” said Fairchild. “Overall, we put together the pitching, hitting and fielding. It was a complete team effort.”
This week’s regional semifinal champion will face the winner of the Stamford-Ropes game.
