Liberty-Eylau's new coach seeks wins in premier season

Liberty-Eylau is ready to get the baseball season underway.

Under new head coach Zach Fowler, the Leopards have started building a foundation of what he hopes will be a return to winning tradition.

The Leopards have eight seniors on the opening-day roster with six starters returning.

"We're trying to get these guys worried about the process of winning baseball games," Fowler said. "They've opened up to it and have been good with what we're doing. They're heading the right direction."

L-E, which begins it season with pool play in the Pine Tree tournament today, will be working to solidify its defense and pitching.

"We have a chance to be special offensively, but it's going to take time there," Fowler added. "They're going to have to see the approach work and understand why we're doing it, then we'll start to have success at the plate. Where I really want to see improvements is defensively; we're working hard to put the best defensive team out there. We should know once we see it in games, when we play good defense and we're pitching well, that we're in every game. Then we'll start learning to win those games."

Triston Brooks returns for his senior year behind the plate. Seniors Rory Baugus and Garrett Brooks will figure into the pitching rotation, as will junior Cutter Webb.

"Our catcher has been back there for three years, and he's a throw-and-catch guy who is a great hitter," Fowler said. "Baugus pitched some big innings for us last year, and we expect him to come out and do well. Garrett Brooks has looked great on the mound in our scrimmages; he's been our best arm in our scrimmages. Cutter Webb is a three-year starter, and we expect him to take a step forward as a junior."

Sophomore Marzravian Riles, and juniors Trevarie Hodge and Bryan Moore are some newcomers who could also make an impact and help the Leopards as the season progresses.

At first base, sophomore Kevin Garza has seen a lot of reps, with Colton Robinson also backing him up.

"We've got about three guys we're working at first base, and we'll give it to one of them until it doesn't work and then we'll try the next one," Fowler said.

Moore has stepped in at second base, with Blake Carter and Hodge adding depth, and there has been a rotation at shortstop. Jacoby Ross has worked a lot at short for the Leopards, and Webb will also share time there.

At second, Bryan Moore has kind of won the job through the scrimmages, and it's his to lose right now," Fowler said. "At shortstop it will be whoever is playing best defensively."

At third, Webb, Riles and Hodge have rotated the position.

"We're trying to get athletic at third, and those kids have done well," the coach said. "We're about six deep in the outfield; that's our deepest positions."

Darian Walker, who is expected to also bat leadoff, will play center field. Competing for time in the outfield corners will be Baugus, Garrett Brooks, Robinson, Dakota Miller and Dakota Coffee.

"We're still looking at those guys and who works well," Fowler said. "We want to be able to put the best nine out there somewhere. I'm just telling all these guys to stay with the fundamentals. We're not going to leave the fundamentals all year.

"Everyday we come out and do what we call the absolutes of the game in our field work. And I hope they stick with it mentally the whole year as well. We're ready to start; we're excited."

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2017 LEOPARD BASEBALL

Date    Site-Opponent    Time

Feb. 23-25    Pine Tree tournament    TBA

Feb. 28    at Carthage    7 p.m.

March 2-4    Kilgore Oil Belt Classic    TBA

March 7    Fouke    6:30 p.m.

March 9-11    Mount Pleasant tournament    TBA

March 14    Ashdown    6 p.m.

March 18    Genoa Central    2 p.m.

March 24    x-Atlanta    7 p.m.

March 27    x-at Pittsburg    5 p.m.

March 31    x-Pleasant Grove    7 p.m.

April 4    x-Paris    7 p.m.

April 7    x-at North Lamar    7 p.m.

April 11    x-at Atlanta    7 p.m.

April 14    x-Pittsburg    7 p.m.

April 18    x-at Pleasant Grove    7 p.m.

April 21    x-at Paris    7:30 p.m.

April 25    x-North Lamar    7 p.m.

x-District 14-4A game.

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