Lions secure playoff spot as No. 2 seed in Division II
By Melinda L. Lucas
The Albany Lions are in position to advance into the baseball playoffs as the Division II number two seed behind the district-leading Stamford Bulldogs.
After playing Abilene TLCA one day early on Monday night, Albany was 8-5-3 overall, 6-3 in district, with one regular season game left that won’t make a difference in the district standings.
Seniors Chip Chambers and Landon Balliew were honored at Monday’s game as Albany observed the traditional “Senior Night,” even though technically, TLCA was listed as the home team, and Albany has one more home game on the schedule.
Because of heavy rainfall expected this weekend, coach David Fairchild explained that the April 22 game against Hawley may be moved to another location or even cancelled if Albany’s field is unplayable.
“We moved the TLCA game to Monday because some of our guys were going to be gone to the regional golf tournament on Tuesday,” Fairchild said. “And TLCA preferred to play here over their field, so they were the home team.”
Hawley is already in the number two position in district but is the number one seed for Division 2 teams, so the Bearcats will advance in that category.
Coach David Fairchild explained that this is the first year that baseball has been included in the Division 1 and Division 2 playoff split.
Stamford and Albany (number three in overall district standings) will advance to the playoffs for Division 1, while Hawley and Anson go in Division 2.
The Lions will take a break for a long Easter weekend then will hopefully play the April 22 game against Hawley before bi-district is scheduled on May 3.
“The Hawley game may not make any difference in the district outcome, but we still need to get on the field and play if we can,” Fairchild said.
Game Details
Brody Oliver went five innings on the mound in the Lions’ 14-4 win over Haskell April 4, striking out 13.
Stats included Aiden Vickers 2 for 4, 1 RBI; Calhan Fairchild 1 for 5, 3 RBIs; Oliver 2 for 4, 2 RBIs; Wesley Gleitz 2 for 4, 1 RBI; Clay Chapman 1 for 3, 2 RBIs; Landon Picquet 2 for 2; Shawn Keen 1 for 3, 1 RBI.
Chip Chambers was credited with the win in Albany’s 6-2 victory over Anson, going six innings and striking out 11. Vickers came in for one inning to secure the win.
The Lions had eight hits during the game, including Vickers 2 for 4, 1 RBI; Oliver 2 for 3; Gleitz 2 for 3; Chapman 1 for 2, 1 RBI; Landon Balliew 1 for 3, 2 RBIs.
“We played great defense with good pitching,” the coach said.
Albany had a tough night against Stamford on April 11, losing a 2-12 game to the district leader.
Chambers and Oliver collected the only two hits of the game.
“We were missing a few players, but overall, I was pleased with our effort and attitudes,” Fairchild said.
Details for Albany’s win over TLCA were not available at press time.
