The Lee seniors are ready for the 2016 baseball opener on Saturday at Olympic Field. (l-r) Chris Adams, Ty Broady, Kyle Briner, Luke Toms, Logan Campbell, Trenton Hill, Ben Holland, MJ Brown
The Lee University baseball team will open the 2016 season as official members of the Gulf South Conference (GSC) and NCAA Division II when it hosts Albany State University (Ga.) Golden Rams on Saturday and Sunday at Olympic Field.
The opening pitch for Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday's single game will also begin at 2. Junior right-hander Justin Alleman will be on the hill for game one on Saturday while junior lefty Art Vidrio will work game two. Another left-hander, senior Trenton Hill, is slated for Sunday's start.
The Flames finished the 2015 season with a 39-19-1 record.
Playing a full GSC schedule, the men of coach Mark Brew were 17-13-1 in league play.
Lee has quickly gained the attention of preseason pollsters. The Flames are ranked No. 25 in the Perfect Game National Poll and picked seventh in the preseason conference ranking, followed by 10th in the preseason regional poll (the most important poll).
"I think the wide range (in the polls) shows how competitive the Gulf South and South Region are," pointed out the skipper. "There are literally six-eight teams that could win our conference.
"We are excited to be opening with Albany State," said Brew as his squad put the finishing touches on the preseason training. "They were a South Regional participant last year and return one of the top players in our region in shortstop Terrence Worthy. It will be a great test for our team as we host these important in-region games."
The coach added, "It's early, but I have been pleased at where we stand in all phases of the game through preseason practice. Our offense has been strong and lots of younger players have shown continued improvement. Defense and pitching are the areas I expect to see improve the most this weekend. They have been solid, but we need each of these areas to take steps forward."
Brew notes, "Overall we are healthy as a team. Freshman Dallas Bryan is the only pitcher who has not thrown competitively, but he will start facing hitters this week."
While pitching usually dominates during the early portion of the season, the coach sees things somewhat differently this time around. "I think this team is swinging the bat on a more consistent basis right now than in the past. If we can add the great pitching and defense we have had throughout the years, we have a chance to have an excellent season."
NOTE: The Flames officially begin facing GSC competition on Feb. 20 when they venture to the University of Alabama at Huntsville.