Team improving after slow start

Although the Red Devils lost to Aquinas 6-3, they did play their most complete game of the season, according to Coach Billy Beale. The team's next game will take place Tuesday, April 3, beginning at 5 p.m. at Hancock Central High School. Pictured is Crafton Reed firing one from the mound during the Aquinas game.

The LCHS Baseball Team is off to a 3-5 start, with a 2-2 record in Region 7-A play.

"Inconsistency has marked the Devils' efforts this season," stated Coach Billy Beale. "We're improving but we've still got to get things together at the same time. We hit good one day, pitch good the next, and play good defense the third day. When we are able to put everything together on the same day consistently, then we will be OK."

Injuries have also cramped the Red Devils' style. Kiece Crite has been hampered by a pulled hamstring for most of the season, while sophomores Dalton Tankersley and Crafton Reed and senior Tyler Beale have suffered from sore or tired arms.

Even so, Tankersley, Reed, and Beale have led the Red Devil bull pen thus far this season. Tankersley has a 2-1 record, with a 3.83 ERA. He likewise struck out 18 hitters in 18 innings. Reed, however, has been the most effective on the mound with a .78 ERA. As for Beale, he has been plagued by 11 unearned runs in his 12 innings.

Leading hitters for the team are Crite (.556 average) and Beale (.385 average). Others who have gotten off to a good start offensively are Trey Bailey (.333 average), Aiken Davis (.333 average), and Josh Hollimon (.300 average).

Currently, Beale leads the team with 10 hits, six RBIs, and 10 stolen bases. Coming in second are Alex Bradford with eight stolen bases and Reed and Bailey with four RBIs each. Bailey also has nine hits to his credit.

In spite of the inconsistency and injuries, things are looking up for the Red Devils.

"After falling behind Region 7-A favorite Aquinas 4-0 in the first inning of the teams' match-up Tuesday, March 20, LCHS has played very good baseball," said Coach Beale. "Although the Aquinas game ended in a 6-3 loss, the Devils played their most complete game of the season. Dalton Tankersley then pitched a great game on Friday, March 23, leading the team to an 11-1 victory over Twiggs County."

The Red Devil diamondmen's next game will take place Tuesday, April 3, against Hancock Central High School.

Game time is at 5 p.m.

Go Devils!