2013 Preview: Fairfield Lions Baseball
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Though the Fairfield Lions have no seniors this season on their baseball team, that really won't be a factor according to newly minted head coach Matt Garman, as he feels his junior class is more than up to the challenge of leading the Lions to wins this year.
The Lions have 10 players back on the varsity roster from a team that went 12-15 overall last season. Back are Dylan Rohde, Quintin Schaffer, Dacoda Bennett, John Crabtree, Zach Cox, Wyatt Crothers, Joey Wilson, Gage Montgomery, Isaiah Liggins and Blake Hildebrant.
Also on the team this season are Caleb Huff, Garret Schuler and Jacob Wheeler.
Bennett returns with a .305 batting average from last season, as he totaled 31 runs, 25 hits and 15 RBIs and 20 walks. Wilson batted .329 one year ago, with 85 at-bats. Wilson added 17 runs, 28 hits (11 doubles) and 21 RBIs.
Cox batted .341 in '12, as the current junior had 88 at-bats with 22 runs, 30 hits and a team-high 36 RBIs. Cox also had five doubles and two home runs. Hildebrant returns with a .390 batting average with 77 at-bats, 35 runs, 30 hits and 17 RBIs. He added five doubles and 14 walks.
Montgomery batted .278 last year as a sophomore. He was 10-for-10 in steal attempts, while driving in 11 runs and scoring 17 runs on 22 hits and 10 walks.
"We have no seniors at all," Garman said. "We are all juniors and sophomores, but we are returning young guys who have varsity experience.
"As for what we have … it is hard to tell because we haven't been outside at all much. We haven't hit off live pitching (as of Tuesday), but I feel our infield should be all right."
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The pitching for the Lions will consist of a top three rotation of Wilson, Cox and Rohde. Also in the mix are Crothers, Schaffer and Montgomery.
Cox pitched 36 innings last year with a 3.08 ERA in nine appearances. Wilson had an ERA of 1.85 with three wins as he pitched 45.1 innings, leading FHS with 55 strikeouts. Rohde struck out 21 batters with a 3.16 ERA as he won two games.
"Judging off what we saw last year and summer ball, I feel our pitching should be solid," Garman said, as he was the JV coach and American Legion Post 129 assistant last season.
The new head coach also spoke about not having any seniors, as he feels it may not be a problem this year.
"I actually think having no seniors this year is an advantage for us," Garman said. "With no seniors, it is an unique blend of juniors and sophomores. We are playing with house money as we can play without the pressure of the looming last game.
"I feel it will keep us loose and free wheeling."
The returning varsity starters know what is expected of them, but Garman said filling in the spots vacated by graduation will be key to the progression of the season.
"We have to have a couple guys fill in key roles," he said. "Dylan behind the plate is a big key for us, and we'll need innings from others who played a limited role last season.
"We'll need guys to step up and be big for us."
With the players returning, Garman said his team can compete in the Southern Hills Athletic Conference, as they went 6-7 in the conference last season.
"We can compete with all the teams on our schedule," he said. "Our goal is to get better each game, and if that happens, then we can get to the top of the league standings and move on from there.
"League titles and playing in the district tournament are destinations on the road."
The Lions have 10 players back on the varsity roster from a team that went 12-15 overall last season. Back are Dylan Rohde, Quintin Schaffer, Dacoda Bennett, John Crabtree, Zach Cox, Wyatt Crothers, Joey Wilson, Gage Montgomery, Isaiah Liggins and Blake Hildebrant.
Also on the team this season are Caleb Huff, Garret Schuler and Jacob Wheeler.
Bennett returns with a .305 batting average from last season, as he totaled 31 runs, 25 hits and 15 RBIs and 20 walks. Wilson batted .329 one year ago, with 85 at-bats. Wilson added 17 runs, 28 hits (11 doubles) and 21 RBIs.
Cox batted .341 in '12, as the current junior had 88 at-bats with 22 runs, 30 hits and a team-high 36 RBIs. Cox also had five doubles and two home runs. Hildebrant returns with a .390 batting average with 77 at-bats, 35 runs, 30 hits and 17 RBIs. He added five doubles and 14 walks.
Montgomery batted .278 last year as a sophomore. He was 10-for-10 in steal attempts, while driving in 11 runs and scoring 17 runs on 22 hits and 10 walks.
"We have no seniors at all," Garman said. "We are all juniors and sophomores, but we are returning young guys who have varsity experience.
"As for what we have … it is hard to tell because we haven't been outside at all much. We haven't hit off live pitching (as of Tuesday), but I feel our infield should be all right."
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The pitching for the Lions will consist of a top three rotation of Wilson, Cox and Rohde. Also in the mix are Crothers, Schaffer and Montgomery.
Cox pitched 36 innings last year with a 3.08 ERA in nine appearances. Wilson had an ERA of 1.85 with three wins as he pitched 45.1 innings, leading FHS with 55 strikeouts. Rohde struck out 21 batters with a 3.16 ERA as he won two games.
"Judging off what we saw last year and summer ball, I feel our pitching should be solid," Garman said, as he was the JV coach and American Legion Post 129 assistant last season.
The new head coach also spoke about not having any seniors, as he feels it may not be a problem this year.
"I actually think having no seniors this year is an advantage for us," Garman said. "With no seniors, it is an unique blend of juniors and sophomores. We are playing with house money as we can play without the pressure of the looming last game.
"I feel it will keep us loose and free wheeling."
The returning varsity starters know what is expected of them, but Garman said filling in the spots vacated by graduation will be key to the progression of the season.
"We have to have a couple guys fill in key roles," he said. "Dylan behind the plate is a big key for us, and we'll need innings from others who played a limited role last season.
"We'll need guys to step up and be big for us."
With the players returning, Garman said his team can compete in the Southern Hills Athletic Conference, as they went 6-7 in the conference last season.
"We can compete with all the teams on our schedule," he said. "Our goal is to get better each game, and if that happens, then we can get to the top of the league standings and move on from there.
"League titles and playing in the district tournament are destinations on the road."