Page 13 - TR_RVO_HSBaseball_Softball_2020

SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020 THREE RIVERS EDITION/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE DIAMOND ROUNDUP
13SS
SEARCY LIONS
Senior-led Searcy Lions hope to make playoffs
STACI VANDAGRIFF/THREE RIVERS EDITION
Searcy freshman Kade Ivy fields a ground ball at a practice. The Lions finished 7-19 a year ago, missing the playoffs for the first time in seven years.
BY SAM PIERCE
STAFF WRITER
The Searcy Lions finished 7-19 a year ago, missing the state playoffs for the first time in the seven years that head coach Matthew Davis has been at the helm.
Fortunately, the Lions have nine seniors returning this year.
“For the past few years, we have been on the younger side of the game,” Davis said. “We have had to play a lot of guys who are sopho- mores. This year, we have nine seniors, which is more than we have had in a while.
“We have a lot of experience from last year. They want to come in and learn as much as they can. I remember looking out there last year, and we had five juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen playing at once against Jonesboro, who had a lot of experience, and we were competing with them. ... We have a lot of experience that will help us this year. It is a real exciting time for us.”
Conference: 5A-East
Coach: Matthew Davis
Assistant coach: Mitch Ferrell 2019 record: 7-19
Returning starters: Seniors Tanner Leonard, Kyle Burton, Peyton Jones and Blake Goldman; juniors Reid Carpenter and Luis Armon; and sophomores Ckyler Tengler and Daniel Perry
Returning this year is senior shortstop and pitcher Tanner Leonard. He had a batting average of .392 with an on-base percentage of .467 with 10 walks and only 5 strikeouts. He also had 12 stolen bases and 28 runs scored.
“He puts a lot of extra time in on his own, coming in almost daily to get that extra work in,” Davis said. “He is very focused on what he does successfully and is knowledgeable on what he needs to get better at.
SEARCY BASEBALL
APRIL 7 .................................... PARAGOULD* APRIL 9 ................................ @JACKSONVILLE APRIL 13 .......................................... VILONIA APRIL 13 ............................ WEST MEMPHIS* APRIL 17 ............. @ VILONIA JV TOURNAMENT APRIL 17 ............... @LR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY APRIL 21 ........................ @MOUNTAIN HOME* APRIL 24 ......................................PANGBURN APRIL 24 ........................................ @VILONIA APRIL 28 ............... @GREENE COUNTY TECH* APRIL 29 ............... @GREENE COUNTY TECH* MAY 1 ......................................SYLVAN HILLS MAY 5 ................ @BENTON HS TOURNAMENT
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
“He has improved his approach at the plate and has really put in the work in the weight room to get stronger. He is just that kind of kid.
SEARCY BASEBALL continued on 14SS