Returning All-State shortstop Nick Cerda will anchor the Lehman lineup this season. The Lobos are aiming to win a playoff series for the first time in school history in 2012. (photo by Judy Cooper)
By JASON GORDON
Playoffs? The Lehman boys baseball team has been there and done that.
The Lobos will settle for nothing but playoff success this season.
After qualifying for the fourth and final spot in the district playoff chase in 2010 and 2011, the Lobos were swept by eventual ’10 state champ Brenham and Boerne Champion, which advanced to the regional quarterfinals last year.
“Just making the playoffs doesn’t matter anymore,” said Lehman head coach Toby Robinson. “We don’t want to finish fourth and be shaking hands with other team with our season coming to a close after the first round. It’s something we talk about every day. This is the year we want to see how far we can go in the playoffs.”
Robinson said he knows his Lobos will have to play more consistently in District 27-4A. Last year, Lehman swept rival Hays but still finished fourth in the district.
“We need to be competing for the district title, not for fourth place,” he said. “We’ve talked about how that fourth seed is kind of like making a 70 in class. It’s passing, but it’s not where we want to be.”
Robinson will have 12 varsity members who have playoff experience back this season, including the anchor of the lineup, shortstop Nick Cerda.
Last season, Cerda, who batted .436 with 10 home runs and 47 runs batted in, became Lehman’s first All-State player in a team sport. Cerda, a current senior who started as a freshman, holds nearly every major Lehman baseball batting record.
“It’s nice to say you have an All-State player coming back,” Robinson said. “Not many coaches get to say that. He’s a leader on and off the field and he seems to never have a bad at bat. I’ve seen him hit a three-run homer with us down two runs in the last inning to win it, or draw that key walk when we need it. Nick will do whatever it takes to win.”
Joining Cerda in the Lehman infield will be a platoon of Justin Penney and Matt Anguiano at first base, Matt Delgado and Xavier Soliz will split time at second base, Justin Vajgert and DJ Trejo will both play third, and Rudy Martinez and Hunter Lehman will catch.
In the outfield, Jacob Urea and Gus Delgado will split time in left, Rudy Martinez and Ben Flores will share time in center, and Aaron Sheckler will play right.
On the mound, Vajgert, who finished 8-2 last season, will lead a staff that includes, Penney, Hunter Lehman and Sheckler. Cerda, who had two wins and three saves last season, will continue his role as the team’s closer.
Lehman will play in the Lockhart Tournament this weekend. The Lobos will also play in the Kerrville Tivy and Austin ISD tournaments.
Lehman’s varsity opener is March 6, at Lobo field against rival Hays.
