Raised Expectations Greet 2016 LHS Baseball Team

After making state for the first time since 1992, Liberal’s baseball program enters the 2016 season with unlimited expectations. After an 18-5 season and a trip to 5A state at Wichita State, tenth year head coach Eric Olmstead has successful varsity experience everywhere he turns. Liberal loses two key players from last year’s team in athletic outfielder Cristian Erives and lefty Zack White. But everyone else is back from a team which beat Andover and Goddard Eisenhower in Liberal to win the regional. Cole Evans and Jared Hasik return after first team all WAC honors last season.

Liberal has experience back on the mound where Sr. Jared Hasik, juniors Cole Evans and Kaiden Bigham, and So. Tucker Deaton. Sr. Angel Archuleta returns behind the plate while big targets Evans and Sr. Kaiden Long return at first. Senior Sylman Pando was Liberal’s most consistent hitter last year and returns at second and short. Hasik returns at short where he has a great deal of experience. Sr. Stevie Lira and Bigham return at third. Sr. Tim Fitzgerald anchors the outfield in center while Sr. corner outfielder Jacob McCarter is a returning starter with speed. One of Liberal’s biggest question marks will be solidifying the other corner outfield spot with Sr. Alex Carrillo, Evans, Sr. Dane Friederich, or freshman Cesar Burciaga. In relief, Long, Lira, and Fitzgerald are possibilities along with newcomers Fr. Alex Yanez, and Jr. Kaleb Wilmes.

Liberal has 40 out for baseball including a talented freshman class. Liberal has 20 players out of the 40 who can pitch.

Liberal opens at Hugoton Thursday at 4 with the home opener against Ulysses Tuesday at 4. The WAC and post season games air on 1270 and kscbnews.net. The WAC opener is April 5 at Great Bend.

Thursday, Mar 24, 2016 Doubleheader 4:00PM Away vs. Hugoton Hugoton High School Tuesday, Mar 29, 2016 Doubleheader 4:00PM Ulysses Liberal High School Tuesday, Apr 5, 2016 Doubleheader 4:00PM Away vs. Great Bend Great Bend High School Saturday, Apr 9, 2016 Doubleheader TBD Away vs. Clinton Clinton High School Tuesday, Apr 12, 2016 Doubleheader 4:00PM Scott Community Liberal High School Saturday, Apr 16, 2016 Doubleheader 1:00PM Alva Liberal High School Friday, Apr 22, 2016 Doubleheader 4:00PM Away vs. Colby Colby High School Tuesday, Apr 26, 2016 Game 6:00PM Dodge City Liberal High School Monday, May 2, 2016 Doubleheader 3:00PM Away vs. Garden City Garden City High School Friday, May 6, 2016 Game 6:00PM Away vs. Dodge City Dodge City Demon Field Tuesday, May 10, 2016 Doubleheader 2:00PM Hays Liberal High School Thursday, May 19, 2016 Regionals TBD Away vs. TBA TBA Thursday, May 26, 2016 State TBD Away vs. TBA Wichita State University