The Alexander City Outlook

Lyman Ward 2-1 through three games

In the first game for Lyman Ward’s baseball team since 1985, the Rangers started in thrilling fashion.

LWMA left fielder Fletcher Carlisle made a nice running catch and fired a strike to cut-off man Jake Archer, who gunned down a runner at the plate to cap a 10-8 Ranger win in eight innings.

Carson Stegall and Archer went 3-for-4, and Alex Beiber struck out nine batters in a complete game to get the win.

LWMA followed up the win with another triumph over Chambers Academy. The Rangers pounded out 22 hits and beat Chambers 24-11 in a slug-fest. Evan Althouse, Ricky Cooper and Stegall all were 4-for-4, and teammate John Young had three hits.

Robert Stegall struck out seven in five innings of work on the mound.

“I’m very impressed with our start,” head coach Terry Arwood said. “What’s really impressive is how much the players are learning every day. They’re getting tighter as a group.”

The Rangers lost to the state’s No. 2 team on Monday, Cornerstone Christian. LWMA had a 6-5 lead, but Cornerstone scored four runs in the final two innings to win.

Althouse and Archer were both 2-for-4 in the loss. Martin Jauregui pitched for the Rangers (2-1). Up next for LWMA is a game Thursday at Chambers.