Redskins Get Younger on the Diamond in 2023

The Liberal baseball team opens their season Thursday at the National Beef Sports Complex. Eric Olmstead enters his 16th season and 17th year as Redskin head coach.  He says this is the youngest team he has had since 2013.  There is one senior on the 12 man roster.

The Redskins were 9-12 last year, an improvement from their return to the diamond in 2021 when they went 6-14.  The 2020 season would have likely marked a sixth straight winning season, but it was canceled due to covid.

Eric Olmstead has guided the Redskins through ups and downs of baseball throughout the years as Redskin head coach. He is responsible for two of Liberal’s three WAC titles and one of the two state tournament appearances. Olmstead is 173-145 at LHS.  Olmstead will be assisted by Rory Arnold, James Shelby, Andrew Potter, and Dom Murray.  The Redskins have 37 out for baseball and will have a varsity, JV, and C team.

Olmstead likes his team speed and versatility.  All 12 players on the roster can pitch.  Some of the younger players will pitch some for the JV.  The pitching rotation begins with Jrs.  Brooks Kappelmann, Aidan Schwindt, Erek Lira, and Zayden Martinez.  Junior Fidel Avila and Sophomore Alex Schwindt look to see some mound time early.  Behind the dish, Jr. Aidan Schwindt and So. Alex Schwindt will catch along with So. Xavier Porras.  Sr. Kamryn Jennings and So. Marco Alonso or Jr. Zayden Martinez could anchor first.  Jr. Adan Mata and So. Skyler Hubbard will compete at second.  Jr. Brooks Kappelmann looks to play short for a third year and Jr. Aidan Schwindt will also play that position.  Jr. Erek Lira looks to anchor third base for a second straight year.  The Schwindt boys and Porras could also play some third.  Fleet of foot Jr. Zayden Martinez will chase down fly balls in center while So. Landon Martinez, Jr. Fidel Avila, and So. Xavier Porras will vie for outfield spots.  Obviously in Kansas, practice time is limited and this line up could change.

Olmstead will be a guest on Sportsguys Thursday morning.  The Redskins host Hugoton Thursday at 4pm at the National Beef Sports Complex.

Schedule

March 23- Hugoton 4pm DH

March 28- Garden City 6pm (1270 and 92.3)

March 31- at Hays 4pm DH (1270 and 92.3)

April 7- Great Bend 4pm DH (1270 and 92.3)

April 11- Dodge City 6pm (1270 and 92.3)

April 14- Woodward 4pm DH

April 18- at Garden City 6pm (1270 and 92.3)

April 21- Wichita North 3pm DH

April 24- at Wichita South 4pm

April 27- Holcomb 4pm DH

May 1- at Elkhart 4pm DH

May 9- at Dodge City 6pm (1270 and 92.3)

May 15-18 Regional (1270 and 92.3)