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Lyons News 2013 Spring SportS preview Friday, April 5, 2013 5
By Mike CoursonThe Lyons baseball team
managed just seven wins a year ago. But Coach Larry Kirkhart, in his third year in the dugout, believes his squad returns enough key pieces to do some big things in 2013.
“We plan to win the league this year and contend for the 3A state champion-ship,” he said. “We feel we have the experience to com-pete in every game and we expect to be successful.”
Kirkhart has plenty of room to be optimistic with seven starters returning to the diamond. Four of those players received all-league honors last spring.
Christian Miller was the squad’s first baseman and pitcher last year. He graduated in May but Kirkhart should be able to fill those shoes.
Leading the way, se-nior Cole Brady returns as an All-CKL utility man. Sophomore Grady Kirkhart returns to the mound after earning Second-Team All-
CKL honors a year ago.Defensively, the left side of
the infield should be a strength for the Lions. Senior Matt Vincent returns to third base, and junior Ryan McClure will again play shortstop. Both
players were All-CKL honor-able mentions last season.
A big addition to the squad this year will be Jacob Buck-man. The sophomore missed all of last season with a back injury, and Kirkhart says he
will anchor the outfield and contribute on the mound.
“This group of kids has had some success in the past but has learned that doesn’t mean a thing in this game,” said Kirkhart. “You have to
prove yourselves every day and play each opponent as if they are the best team until you prove them wrong. The boys are of age and the time is right to believe in themselves and success is up to them.”
Only time will tell if this year’s squad can make it to the state tournament in Manhattan at the end of May. Silver Lake and Baxter Springs have domi-nated Class 3A in recent years, combining for six of the last eight crowns since Lyons won it all in 2004.
“It should be the most successful season these boys have had in several years,” Kirkhart said.
The Lions opened the season with two losses to Wichita Independent, then rebounded to sweep King-man on Tuesday. Lyons will play at home just three times this year with the next home contest on April 16 against Smoky Valley. The Lions will also host a Class 3A regional in May.
Lyons baseball team looking to be a state contender in 2013
GO LYONS!
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Go Teams!
The 2013 Lyons baseball team is, front row l to r: Oscar Gomez, Julian Gonza-lez, Drake Linke, Ryan Pray, Cole Brady, Eddie Landeros, Mathew Vincent, Jake Buckman, Mizouni Ben Amor, Dakota Nave, and Angel Holguin. Back row: Asst. Coach Adam Niedens, Gerson Lopez, Jordan Douglas, Ricky Pray, Grady Kirkhart, Coach Larry Kirkhart, Ryan McClure, Luis Reyes, Michael Brown, and Coach Bob McClure. Not pictured: Mitchel Vincent. (photo by Vickie Folck)
Date OpponentHome games in CAPS
March. 26 @Independent April 2 KINGMAN April 5 @Hoisington April 9 @Halstead April 12 @Pratt April 16 SMOKY VALLEY April 19 @Kingman April 23 @Haven May 3 @Nickerson May 7 HILLSBORO May 13-17 Regionals May 25-26 State
Lyons baseball 2013
Lions pull off sweep of Kingman for first wins
Left: Ryan McClure makes a leaping tag. Above: Matthew Vincent’s slide into home is hindered by wet dirt. He was safe anyway. (photos by Mike Courson)
By Mike CoursonThe boys of summer
had to deal with some wintry conditions on Tuesday. It was worth it for the Lyons baseball team. The Lions picked up their first two wins of the season by sweeping King-man 11-1 in game one, and 10-2 in game two.
Grady Kirkhart got the start in game one. The Eagles managed a single two-out run in the first in-ning and would not score again. The sophomore Kirkhart allowed just three hits and the one run in five innings of work.
“It’s still early in
the season and he’s still trying to get command of pitches,” said Lyons coach Larry Kirkhart. “He did a better job of it to-night than the other night but still hit three batters.”
The Lions tied things up in the second inning. Cole Brady single and scored on a single from Angel Holguin. In the third inning, Lyons used to bunt to manufacture a run. Jacob Buckman and Matthew Vincent each reached on singles, and Buckman scored on a wild pitch for the lead. Vincent would also score on a groundout from Brady.
Lyons broke the game open in the fourth in-ning with six runs. The first three batters reached to load the bases, led by Ricky Pray’s leadoff single and another bunt from Eddie Landeros. Four of the eight hits came by way of the bunt.
“We’re just trying to put the ball in play and make the defense work,” Kirkhart said. “We really didn’t hit the ball well, but we’re making things happen.”
With the bases loaded in the fourth, Pray came around to score on an error off Vincent’s bat.
Ryan McClure walked to score Landeros, then Kirkhart hit into an error that scored Buckman.
Even with a new pitcher in the game, the Lions continued to score. Vincent scored on a wild pitch, then Dakota Nave and Holguin each drove in runs for a 9-1 lead.
Lyons needed just two runs in the fifth inning to complete the run-rule. Buckman started things off with a double down the left field line, then scored on a Vincent bunt. McClure’s single to center field scored Vincent to end the game early.
Buckman and Vincent, batting in the top two spots, led the team with two hits apiece. Both scored three runs and Vincent added an RBI.
“Our expectation of them is to get on base,” Kirkhart said of his leadoff guys. “That’s when things go. If you can get the leadoff speed on the bases, that gives us an opportunity to do some things.”
McClure got the start in game two, holding the Eagles hitless and score-less for three innings. Brady pitched the fourth inning and Holguin picked up in the fifth
inning. Buckman closed out the win. The pitchers allowed just four King-man hits in game two.
Buckman, Brady, and Kirkhart each had two wins in the nightcap, and McClure had the big hit with a double.
“We hit the ball better the second game, and with getting an early lead, it allowed us to get some other pitchers in the game to try to get com-fortable on the mound,” said coach Kirkhart.
With the win, the Lions are now 2-2 on the young season. They will travel to play Hoisington tonight.
