An experienced Lee High baseball team of a year ago struggled to find success and finished the season 4-16. This year’s Lancers’ team is much younger and will certainly go though growing pangs. But coach Brett McColley’s team will do all they can to improve on last year’s win total.
“We will be young and inexperienced this season,” said McColley, beginning his fourth season at the helm of the Lancers. “We lost nine seniors from last year, and eight starters. We’ve got a lot to improve with our squad this season.”
Early on this spring, it has been a struggle for the Lancers, who were 0-3 going into this week and had given up 40 total runs. One of those setbacks came at district opponent West Potomac, 16-1, last Saturday in a game that was part of a mini ice-breaker tournament hosted by the Wolverines. In their first game of the tournament on Friday night, the Lancers lost to Jefferson High, a member of the Liberty District.
McColley said his team, if it is to enjoy some success this season, must have its young players step up and excel at the varsity level. Also, the Lancers must stick together, through good and bad times, as a team.
“The keys for success this season will be us coming together to play as a team and having some of our younger players grow into leaders within the team,” he said.
McColley indicated he is waiting for team leaders to emerge and has thus not chosen any team captains thus far.
The coach said he likes the makeup of his team as far as being willing to learn more about the game and to take instruction. The Lancers have lots of room for improvement and will learn on the run at the varsity level.
“Our strengths this season are that our squad is capable of huge strides to improve their game and with coachable players the coaching staff will work hard to tap into those areas of improvement,” he said.
Over spring break week, which this year does not fall until the week of April 18-23, Lee will compete at the annual tournament co-hosted by W.T. Woodson and McLean High Schools. The Lancers will play games on both of those schools’ ball fields.
McColley’s assistant coaching staff this season is made up of Matt MacDonald, Alex Winiewicz, and Jim McCartin.