Lady Lions head into post-season play on Friday
The Albany Lady Lions were dealtan unexpectedly early end to the softball regular season and now turn their attention to the playoffs.
Albany (8-4) will take on Anson at 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 26 in a one-game playoff in the Class 2A bi-district round at Anson.
The regular season finale against Gorman,originally scheduled for Friday, April 19 and pushed back to Monday, April 22, was cancelled after thunderstorms delay a number of regional track meets.
The cancellation leaves the Lady Lions with an 11day layoff since their last outing, a 10-3 loss to Cisco on Monday, April 15.
“Our goal was to play a respectable game against Cisco, which we did,” Lady Lions coach Jimmy Fuentes said.“They have a bunch of girls in their program, andthey’reallolder,juniors and seniors. And we know what our situation is.”
Albany has struggled to gain momentum that was beset by low numbers at the start, then interrupted for a month by not having the minimum nine players available. The Lady Lions enter the postseason with a lineup of two seniors, two juniors, two sophomores, and three freshmen.
“Every game we’ve played so far, for as young as we are, has been respectable,” Fuentes said. “That’s what we’re looking for again.”
Anson (14-10) finished in a four-way tie for the District 7-2A title with Stamford, Haskell and Hawley, and drew the No. 3 seed. All four teams went 5-3 in district, splitting all their head-to-head meetings.
Fuentes was unable to scout the Lady Tigers, but knowsAlbanywillbefacing a quality opponent.
“That whole district is talented,” he said. “I mean, afour-waytie.How of tendo you hear about that?”
An son is also dealing with a lengthy break, having last played Tuesday, April 16.
“From what I hear, they’re all good,” Fuentes said of the 7-2A teams. “It wouldn’t have mattered who we drew. It would be tough regardless.”
But he expects an adverse situation to serve as inspiration for the Lady Lions.
“I’ve been telling the girls all year to just embrace it,” Fuentes said. “It’s part of being an athlete. Face the situation in front of you as best you can.”
