Lions lose to Hawley in district opener

The Albany Lions baseball team saw its final tune up before the start of district play rained out Friday, March 15, with a game at Snyder being cancelled.

The Lions (6-1 overall) opened the District 8-2Aschedule Tuesday, March 19 with a 3-4 loss at Hawley. Details will be reported next week.

Albany visits Anson at 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 22 in the second of three consecutive road games to open league play. The next home game is 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 26 against Stamford.

Weather has plagued the baseball program this season with games cancelled or played in less than ideal conditions.

“We’ve had some bad-weather days, lost a few games and a tournament, but that’s part of it.,” Lion coach David Fairchild said. “We also don’t play a tournament that first week, and people get a few games on us.”

Fairchild said the situation is nothing new for Albany.

“We start off a little slower and behind everyone,” he said. “But we seem to be all right in the end.”

Fairchild said he expects another competitive district race as the Lions look to defend the title they claimed last year.

“It’s going to be a tough district like it is every year,” he said. “Every game matters, but one is not a defining moment. Hawley beat us last year, then we won nine straight.”

And in Hawley, the Lions started off with one of their main challengers for the crown.

“Going to Hawley is always tough,” Fairchild said. “They have a really good left-handed pitcher, but I don’t know if we’ll see him. They always put together a good ball club.”

Fairchild said he has seen several positive things in the few games Albany has played, but questions remain to be answered.

“Obviously, we’ve got some holes we’re trying to fill with some young guys, who are stepping up,” he said. “Our pitching has done well the first six games. We’ve hit the ball, but we still need to put the ball in play on the back end of the lineup.”

One big factor has been low numbers that keep Albany from playing a full JV schedule.

“We don’t have many extras, but with what we’ve got, I think we should be okay,” Fairchild said.