Lions to host baseball tourney starting today

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions baseball team went 1-2 last week at the Eastland tournament in the first varsity action of the season.

Albany will host its own tournament this weekend, weather permitting.

The Lions are scheduled to face Clyde at 12:00 noon on Thursday, March 10, then host Dodd City at the same time on Friday. Saturday’s game is at 10:00 a.m. against Eastland. Those times may be adjusted for weather concerns.

At Eastland, the Lions opened with an 8-3 victory over the host Mavericks before falling 5-1 to
Jim Ned on Thursday, March 3. On Friday, March 5 Albany lost 7-4 to Class 4A Pampa.

“It was a good weekend,” Lions coach David Fairchild said. “I thought our pitching was pretty much on, but I didn’t let any of the pitchers go very long on the mound.”

Fairchild said an important factor was being competitive in all three games.

“There weren’t any blowouts,” he said. “We had a chance to beat Pampa at the end. We had the bases loaded and just didn’t get it done.”

Against Eastland, Zane Waggoner homered and had three singles to lead the Lions at the plate. Cooper Fairchild and Cole Read each doubled, while Caden Price, Cason Fairchild, and Tyler Chapman each had a single.

“I thought our pitchers, Cole Chapman and Zane Waggoner, threw well,” David Fairchild said.

Against Jim Ned, Waggoner, Luke Ivy, and Adam Hill delivered singles.

“Cole Read had a good day on the mound,” the  coach said.

In the loss to Pampa, Price had a single.

“We have to keep getting better at the plate, and that will come with time,” David Fairchild said.