Lions earn post-season honors
By Sam Waller
Seven players from the Albany Lions baseball team were recognized for their achievements on the field this season with inclusion on the All-Big Country Preps Baseball Team.
Junior Tyler Chapman was selected as a starting infielder on the first team with senior Coy Lefevre tabbed as a reserve infielder.
On the second team, senior Cole Chapman was named to the starting rotation with junior Cole Read listed in the bullpen and junior Zane Waggoner picked as a starting infielder.
Earning honorable mention were senior Caden Price as outfielder and junior Cason Fairchild as a utility player.
Albany went 9-1 to win the District 8-2A championship and advanced to the regional-semifinal round of the playoffs.
Tyler Chapman, who was also named District 8-2A MVP for his performance at third base and pitcher, batted .483 (42 for 87) to lead the Lions. He had nine doubles, eight triples and a home run and finished with a team-high 39 RBIs.
On the mound, the right-hander went 6-3 with a 1.83 ERA, allowing 11 earned runs over 42 innings. In 15 appearances, he allowed 21 hits with 33 walks while striking out 77.
Lefevre, Albany’s second baseman, batted .435 (37 for 85) with four doubles, four triples, and 30 RBIs. He led the team with a .529 on-base percentage and was successful on all 15 of his steal attempts.
Cole Chapman, named co-Pitcher of the Year on the All-District team, went 9-0 with a save and a 2.02 ERA. Over 41.2 innings, he gave up 12 earned runs on 24 hits with 41 walks and 64 strikeouts. At the plate, he batted .302 (26 for 86) with six doubles, two triples, three home runs, and 30 RBIs.
Read was honored as a pitcher after being named Catcher of the Year on the 8-2A team. He went 8-1 with a save and a 1.93 ERA. Working a team-high 50.2 innings, he allowed 14 earned runs on 32 hits with 33 walks and 78 strikeouts. He also batted .415 (34 for 82) with four doubles and 32 RBIs.
Waggoner, the co-Offensive MVP on the 8-2A team, led the Lions in doubles (12) and home runs (five). He batted .393 (33 for 84) with 30 RBIs.
Price batted .304 (21 for 69) with three doubles, a triple, and 20 RBIs. His 22 walks were second on the team.
Fairchild, who played center field and third base, was the catalyst for the offense as the leadoff batter. He hit .367 (29 for 79) with seven doubles, a triple, and 15 RBIs. His on-base percentage was .523 with team-high 24 walks. He scored 35 runs and led the Lions with 24 stolen bases in 25 attempts.
