The Lehman Lobo baseball team left little doubt of its dominance last week as it cruised to an 11-1 win over the Leander Lions in six innings April 18.
Lehman maintained momentum as they closed the 2017 season by debating Leander on Saturday, which secured the program’s first district series win.
The Lobos appeared sharp from the jump April 18 as they put together a 1-2-3 inning in the opening frame. But the Lions were able to reach base following the first and only Lehman error of the game in the second inning.
Lehman head coach Tony Robinson said his team has performed well on offense all season; however, the Lobo defense has struggled.
“We’ve been swinging the stick really good all year ... We’ve just struggled on defense a little bit, and when we’ve struggled on defense it’s hurt us. But it’s nice to know this is what we should have been doing.” Tony Robinson, Lehman head coach
With six outs on seven batters faced, the defense did its job in the first two frames.
This success helped motivate the offense, as Lehman followed its defensive performance with a three-hit, five-run third inning, capped off with a two-out grand-slam over the left field fence from senior first baseman Courteney Curry.
“I just stayed patient and kept my eye on it,” said Curry. “It was a big play, but this was a huge win for our team. Big win for the seniors.”
After the Lions produced their first hit of the game in the top of the third, the Lobos executed a 6-4-3 double play to swing momentum back in Lehman’s favor. The inning ended on one of Lehman sophomore starting pitcher Shane Miles’ five strikeouts.
Lehman’s lead was extended to 7-0 in the bottom of the third after second baseman Ben Gettig swatted an RBI double to score two runs.
The lone run for Leander came following a lead-off solo shot from Montgomery in the top of the fourth.
“Inside fastball,” said Miles. “He just turned on it.”
A clearly bothered Miles responded with striking out three of the next six Lion batters.
“I was just on a roll,” said Miles. “Just trying not to stop and to not mess anything up.”
The run rule was officially called in the bottom of the six when Lehman took an 11-1 lead after the second 2-RBI double of the game, which was courtesy of right fielder Derek Gomez.
After the game Miles said although this was no doubt a big win for the team and for the seniors, it’s important to remain humble.
“I think it’s good, I mean 11-1, that’s good,” Miles said. “We can’t get too cocky though. Next game we just have to stay strong and keep hitting.”
