Junior shortstop Nick Cerda, a unanimous all-district selection last season, has been Lehman’s starting shortshop since his freshman year. Cerda batted .515 and slugged six home runs and also drove in a team high 28 RBIs. He will be counted on heavily again as the Lobos attempt another playoff run. (Photo by Judy Cooper)
by MARK CAUL
It seems like just last week the Lehman High baseball team was making its first playoff foray in front about 1,500 screaming fans at Texas State University’s Bobcat Field.
The enthusiasm surrounding the program has not dwindled a bit since last May and head coach Toby Robinson still hasn’t stopped smiling.
Last year Lehman finished fourth in a very competitive district advancing to the bi-district round of the baseball playoffs where they were swept by eventual state champion Brenham in two games.
Although four of the players who were the cornerstones of the Lehman baseball program for four years have now graduated (Tre Abeita, Cesar Ornelas, JP Flores and Orlando Banda), Robinson believes the postseason appearance has been instrumental in his quest to construct another playoff caliber team.
In the past, the Lobos have always struggled with numbers, but this season Robinson’s squad will begin the season with 15 players in his varsity program.
“The fact that we got a taste of the playoffs last year has been very helpful in moving our program forward this season,” Robinson said. “We have had our best turnout since we started this program five years ago.”
Among them is junior Nick Cerda, who has been one of the team’s best defensive players over the past two campaigns and will be counted on to bolster Lehman’s pitching rotation this season as well.
“Nick is going to be a big part of our team this year and will be one of our leaders,” Robinson said. “He was a part of our playoff team last year and knows what it takes to win.”
Cerda, a unanimous all-district selection last season, has been Lehman’s starting shortshop since his freshman year. Cerda batted .515 and slugged six home runs last year. He also drove in a team high 28 RBIs.
In addition, Cerda was noted for his defensive prowess, committing only five errors the entire season.
The other returning starters are sophomore Justin Vajgert, along with seniors Joey Hernandez and Chris Tello, each of whom started all 26 games for the Lobos last season.
Vajgert was a key utility player for the Lobos last season as a freshman. The right-hander started three games on the mound while also seeing action in just about every position on the field. Vajgert will rotate between playing shortstop and third base when he isn’t pitching.
“Vajgert is a player who does everything we need him to do on the baseball field,” Robinson said. “He will be a huge part of our pitching rotation this season.”
In addition, Tello, sophomore Hunter Lehman and freshman Justin Penny are also expected to log innings on the mound for Lehman this spring.
The rest of the infield will consist of Tello at first base, sophomore Xavier Soliz at second, Cerda at shortshop and Vajgert at third.
Jacob Urea is penciled in as the starter in left field for his first varisty campaign with Joey Hernandez and DJ Trejo rounding out the outfield for the Lobos.
Junior Rudy Martinez and senior Albert Maseda will battle for the designated hitter slot with both players also seeing time in the outfield.
Securing a playoff berth will be a battle this season as District 27-4A is loaded with potential state ranked teams in Smithson Valley, Canyon, Hays and Alamo Heights.
“All of those teams have always had good programs so I don’t expect anything less from them this season,” said Robinson.
After opening tournament play at the Lockhart Invitational Tournament on February 24-26, the Lobos will travel to Dallas for one of the premier tournaments in the state in the Jesuit Invitational on March 3-5.
The Lobos will also play in the AISD Tournament March 10-12 in Austin.
With eight underclassmen playing vital roles in the starting lineup, Robinson admits his team may be young on paper but the effort they have exhibited in the preseason has been encouraging.
“This team has put in the work during the offseason because they want to get to where last year’s team was – and that’s fighting for a playoff spot,” said Robinson. “Our new district will be very tough but we have the talent to go out compete every night with anybody we face. Our goal is always going to be the state championship.”
