The Iowa Lakes baseball team is looking to improve from the past season’s winning percentage of .353.
Over the off-season the Lakers acquired 19 freshman from around the country and a transfer. There will be 14 sophomores returning to play at Iowa Lakes.
“There will be a learning curve for the incoming freshman, but I believe all of them will be able to compete at the collegiate level.” Said coach Joseph Pavlovich.
Before the spring season Iowa Lakes competes in a series of games in the area. They will play in multiple tournaments in Iowa, Illinois and South Dakota. The first fall game will be played Sunday Sept. 29th.
Iowa Lakes has somethings to work on during the fall season and all the way until spring ball. The Lakers had a batting average of .247 and an on base percentage of .348. Throughout the season the Lakers drove in 216 runs which would average to around four runs a game. batting may not have been the reason the Lakers went 18-33 last season.
“We are defiantly improving on are pitching and looking to improve on it throughout the season.” Said starting pitcher Lucas Gardner.
The Lakers pitching average ERA from last was 5.62 while their opponents was 3.80 a game. Even though their ERA was higher then their opponents Iowa Lakes struck out 349 players and only walked 232.
“This year are wanting to keep improve from last year. The pitchers have been training hard during pitching seasons, practices, in the weight room, and even doing things on their to become better pitchers.” Said Pavlovich.
Even though pitching and batting is a major factor in baseball you also have to have fielders. Iowa Lakes had a total of 92 errors which is an average of around two errors a game, which in any level of baseball could mean a win or a lose. Lakers opponents committed 60 errors. As fielders are also improving on hitting, they are also working on fielding.
“It’s all about repetition making sure we stay in front of the ball. It’s the fundamentals that we were taught as kids on how to play the game that we are practicing every day. The less errors you have the more likely you will win.” Said infielder Trey Jacobson.
“I’m excited to see what the year brings. I think we have a lot of talent and players who want to work hard and win.” said Pavlovich
The Lakers will be playing in a tournament in Illinois this weekend from sept 28th-29th.
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