Baseball season ready to go

With winter sports winding down, that means its time for spring sports to start up. Baseball is arguably one of Albany’s most prestigous sports. Coming off a strong 2007 season in which they finished 18-6, the Cougars look to continue the tradition of excellence in baseball. Last year’s team made it all the way to NCS championship game in which they fell to Acalanes, which was the number 19 team in the nation last year according to Sports Illustrated.

The Cougars were supposed to open their season during ski week but due to weather they will now start their season on February 26 versus Miramonte. Miramonte will not be the only team from the 925 area code in which the Cougars play. Albany will look to get revenge on Acalanes on February 28 in Lafayette.

Albany suffered a couple of key losses due to the graduation of Graeme Agate and Zach Babitt- both players are currently playing Division I college baseball.

Albany will look to seniors Kyle Shipley and Brandyn Adney to lead this year’s squad with their experience. Last year Shipley was named first team all league. When asked what goals he had for this year’s team Shipley responded without hesitation, “ win league and NCS.”

This year’s team will have a couple of underclassmen that make an impact as well. Sophomore Ellis Stephney burst onto the scene last year as a freshman phenom who could hit and pitch. Another underclassmen who will look to make a difference is sophomore catcher David Teel, who is replacing Junna Murakawa who graduated as well.

The pitching rotation will consist of Shipley, Josh Spence, Stephney, and possibly freshman Miles Babbitt.

Players on the team are excited and have high expectations about the coming season. Josh Spence, A senior pitcher, said, “ It’s going to be a very successful season. We have high expectations and goals and I believe that if we work hard we can meet those goals of winning league and NCS.”

The Cougar will keep you updated all season long.

One Response

1. 9:53 PM on March 2nd, 2008baseball fan:

   Lets go cougars!!!!

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