Lions move up to regional semifinal
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Lions baseball team swept the Region I-2A regional quarterfinal series against the Hawley Bearcats last week to move on the next round of the Class 2A playoffs.
The Lions (22-3-1) will face New Deal (23-3) in a best of three series that starts Thursday (today) with a double header at Moffett Field in Snyder at 2:00 p.m. Game 2 will start 30 minutes after the first game. If a third game is needed, the teams will return on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
Ticket prices are set at $4 for adults and $2 for students.
Moffett Field is located at 6200 College Avenue, adjacent to the campus of Western Texas College.
The Lions faced New Deal in the regional final two years ago, dropping the first game but rallying to win the next two games of the series to advance to the state tournament.
“New Deal will be a solid team like usual,” coach David Fairchild said. “They have a good offense that puts the ball in play, and they scored 29 runs in two games last weekend against New Home.”
The New Deal Lions defeated New Home 11-6, 18-10 in the quarterfinal round last week.
“The challenge for us will be to stay focused, especially since we are playing a double header on the first day of the series,” the coach said. “Pitching will again be the key to winning, so we need to keep them off-balanced and hit the plate.”
Lions Win Series
The Lions picked up a 4-0 win over the Bearcats at Abilene High’s Blackburn Field on Friday, then returned Saturday for a 6-2 game that stayed close until the Lions broke loose with four runs for the win.
Cade Neve pitched a no-hitter for Albany on Friday, followed by Jackson Chapman going the distance from the mound on Saturday.
The coach said that both pitching performances were stellar.
“Cade threw a no-hitter on Friday, striking out eight batters,” Fairchild said. “Then Jackson battled to the end, allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out five and gave up no walks.”
The coach added that the Hawley team they played last week was different from the two wins Albany picked up during the regular season.
“Hawley is always tough, and playing a team you beat in district is different when you get to the playoffs,” Fairchild said. “They are a scrappy bunch that is well-coached. They had improved a lot since we played them in district.”
The coach was also pleased with the defense the Lions played during the series, crediting Caden Price with important catches in the outfield.
The Lions had six hits in the first game, but half of them were doubles.
“Cade Neve, Cooper Fairchild, and Coy Lefevre each had a double to lead us at the plate in the first game, and William Webb was two for four on the second game with a couple of key hits,” the coach said.
He commended the team for two great performances, but was especially happy with Saturday’s win.
“Hawley played us a tough game on Saturday that was close until we found a way to win in the last inning,” the coach said. “The guys fought hard and never gave up.”
Quarterfinal Game 1
SCORE BY INNING 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R/H/E
Hawley 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0/0/1
ALBANY 2 1 1 0 0 0 x 4/6/2
INDIVIDUAL STATS
C Fairchild 1 for 3, 1 dbl
C Lefevre 1 for 2, 1 dbl, 1 RBI
C Neve 1 for 3, 1 dbl, 1 RBI
L Ivy 1 for 3, 1 sgl
C Price 1 for 2, 1 sgl
W Webb 1 for 3, 1 sgl
Quarterfinal Game 2
SCORE BY INNING 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R/H/E
ALBANY 1 0 0 1 0 0 4 6/7/4
Hawley 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2/4/0
INDIVIDUAL STATS
C Fairchild 1 for 3, 1 sgl
P Henry 1 for 4, 1 sgl
C Chapman 1 for 4, 1 sgl
L Ivy 1 for 3, 1 sgl, 1 RBI
C Price 1 for 3, 1 sgl, 1 RBI
W Webb 2 for 4, 2 sgls, 2 RBIs
Z Waggoner 0 for 2, 1 RBI
