Lions open with tourney wins
The varsity Lion baseball team opened the season last week with three wins at the Hamlin tournament.
The varsity traveled to Anson on Tuesday, bringing home a 5-3 loss. Details of the game were not available at press time.
The Lions will play in the Windthorst tournament starting on Thursday (today) with a 12:00 noon game against Archer City. Albany is scheduled to face off against Gunter at 6:00 p.m. The team will return on Friday for a third and final bout at 12:00 noon game against Windthorst.
While no games are on the schedule during spring break next week, the Lions may pick up a game on Thursday or Friday.
“Overall, the Hamlin tournament was a good start to the season, with the guys going 3-0 with wins over Ira, Merkel and Colorado City,” coach David Fairchild said. “We struggled at the plate, but I was very pleased with our pitching.”
The Lions defeated Ira 6-0 in the first round, which was played in Stamford on Thursday.
The coach gave four pitchers time on the mound during the game.
“Cade Neve, Ben West, Josh Dyer, and Blaine Kayga all pitched well,” he said.
Neve, B.J. Morris, Luke Ivy, Cooper Fairchild, and Max Balliew each hit singles in the game, while Dyer knocked in a three-run homer.
Albany edged out Colorado City in Hamlin on Friday, 2-0.
“Our bats weren’t working and we faced a good pitcher who had a good breaking ball,” the coach said. “Jackson Chapman pitched well for us at the start, giving no hits and striking out six. Colby Hargett came in as relief, allowing one hit and striking out four.”
Morris got the lone hit for the Lions, while Chapman had one RBI.
Albany beat Merkel in the third game, 4-0.
“Cade Neve had a nice outing, going four innings and giving up two hits and striking out six,” the coach said. “Ben West came in to close with three strikeouts.”
Chapman was the leading hitter, going two for two with a double and an RBI. Neve and Kayga also had hits.
JV Results
The JV Lions improved to 5-2 for the season with wins over Stamford and Cooper’s JV, also during the tournament.
Albany’s JV beat Stamford’s JV 15-7 in the first game of the Hamlin tourney. Christian Morales pitched the game.
The JV also defeated Cooper’s freshmen, 5-3, in the second game.
“Overall, we had two good wins,” the coach said. “Brodey Jones, Colby Hargett, and Robert Bailey all hit the ball well. William Webb had a good day on the mound and at the plate.”
The JV is scheduled to play Saturday, March 9 at 10:00 a.m. at home.
