Lions close regular season, prep for playoffs
By Melinda L. Lucas
After taking a long weekend off for the Easter holiday, the Albany Lions returned to the field for the last game of the regular baseball season on Tuesday against Hawley. Results were not available at press time and will be reported next week.
The Lions defeated Abilene TLCA by a big margin of 23-2 last Monday, April 14, one day earlier than originally planned because of a conflict. No games were scheduled on Good Friday.
Even though Hawley is part of the overall district roll, the Bearcats are in Division I, or large school, division, and Tuesday’s game does not have a bearing on the Division II standings.
Albany head baseball coach David Fairchild explained that this is the first year that baseball has been included in the Division 1 and Division 2 playoff split, like football.
Stamford is leading the district, and along with Albany as the number 2 seed for small schools, will advance into the playoffs. Albany is number three in the overall district standings.
Hawley is in the number two position in district but is the number one seed for Division 1 teams, so the Bearcats will advance in that category along with Anson (number four in overall district).
Fairchild wasn’t sure if Albany would play Coleman or De Leon for the bi-district title, as both still had games to complete at press time. The coach is hoping to secure a field in Abilene for the game or series, which must be played during a May 2-4 window.
Game Details
The Lions dominated Abilene TLCA with a 23-2 win on April 14, recording 16 total hits.
“Overall, this was a good win with multiple players doing well at the plate,” Fairchild said.
Chip Chambers threw all four innings, striking out 12.
Over all good win with multiple players doing well at the plate had 16 total hits. Chip Chambers threw 4 innings, facing 17 batters and striking out 12.
At the plate, Aiden Vickers was 3 for 3, 2 RBIs; Clay Chapman 3 for 3, 4 RBIs; Brody Oliver 1 for 1, 2 RBIs; Jakobi Roberson 1 for 2; Chip Chambers 3 of 4, 4 RBIs; Wesley Gleitz 2 for 4, 2 RBIs; Mason McCloy 1 for 3; Landon Balliew 1 for 3, 2 RBIs; Shawn Keen 1 for 2, one RBI
