Lions open with scrimmage
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lions baseball team took advantage of nice weather Monday, Feb. 20 to get in a scrimmage against Merkel in advance of the opening games later this week.
The Lions were scheduled to face Mason at 11:30 a.m. and Brady at 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23 (today), at the Brady tournament.
Albany will also host its annual JV tournament Thursday-Saturday. The five-team event will give each team three games. The Albany JV will begin play at 12:20 p.m. today.
Lions coach David Fairchild said it was important to get a taste of outside competition before the games start counting. Because it was played as a scrimmage, score was not kept.
“It was good for us to get out and see somebody different,” he said. “I thought our pitchers threw really well, and we got some at bats off live pitching. It was a good day.”
Albany used seven pitchers in the scrimmage with each working about an inning.
“We gave each guy about 25-30 pitches and then rotated,” Fairchild said. “I was really pleased with Cole Chapman, Cole Read, Tyler Chapman, and Caden Price.”
At the plate, Zane Waggoner hit two home runs.
“Zane hit the ball well,” Fairchild said. “Coy Lefevre made good contact, and Price hit the ball well.”
Fairchild said Read and freshman Brody Oliver did a good job at catcher, one of three positions Albany is looking to fill this season.
Fairchild said fielding two teams at the same time will require some juggling. He planned to take 11 players for varsity with 13 or 14 left for JV.
“There’s so much going on,” he said. “Some are going to tennis, some are playing baseball, some are going to track. It’ll be a crazy two weeks, then we’ll settle into a Tuesday-Friday groove.”
The varsity will compete in the Bonham/Bells tournament Thursday-Saturday, March 2-4, before hosting Seymour at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, in the first home game.
The Lions will host their own tournament Thursday-Saturday, March 9-11.
