It was a cold start for the Banks County Leopards last week as the baseball team went 3-1 in the first four games of the season.
Despite the cold, coach Joe Lord said it was a good start for the team.
“We learned a good bit about our team,” Lord said. “We’re still trying to get some things figured out, but we definitely have a better idea of where we stand now than we did this time last week.”
With only two games left before the Leopards begin region play, the last few details will have to be ironed out quickly.
Banks was scheduled to play Elbert for the second time Wednesday afternoon. Due to the snow earlier in the week, the game was pushed to today at 5:30 p.m.
Banks will play at Elbert on Thursday in a rematch of the only loss the team has seen this season, before traveling to West Hall on Friday. The Leopards look for a repeat win over the Spartans as Banks takes on West Hall at 5:30 p.m.
The Leopards start region play next Tuesday as the boys face Walnut Grove on the road at 4:30 p.m.
After the first four games, Lord believes that the Leopards are on the right track.
“We’re swinging the bats pretty well and we’re doing a good job of using the whole field,” said Lord. “We have really been stressing the importance of quality, disciplined at-bats, and you can tell – we’re drawing some walks, exhibiting patience, and getting ourselves in hitter’s counts. We have to continue to do that in order to put runs on the board.”
Pitching wise, Lord has a deep pen to pull from as the Leopards have rotated through 10 pitchers in four games.
“Our pitching staff is still trying to round into shape, but we’re making positive strides,” Lord said. “Developing some depth with the pitching staff is vital, and we’re giving a lot of guys chances to show what they can do for us on the mound. Pitchers have to be developed and brought along cautiously. They have to build up their stamina and arm strength as well as work on basic mechanics, find release points on all their pitches, and get command of the strike zone.”
For more BCHS baseball see The Banks County News.
