MLCA/CCS Lions baseball still finding its paws
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months, 1 week AGO
Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School pitcher Branden Schober follows through on a throw as the Lions warm up for practice Thursday.
JOEL MARTIN/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Antonio Serrato throws the ball at the MLCA/CCS Lions practice Thursday. Serrato is one of a handful of returning players on the team.
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | March 8, 2024 1:10 AM
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions are still getting their paws under them, but they’re making progress on the diamond.
“I think we’ll have a good season,” said Assistant Coach Zach Jennings Thursday. “It's only our third year for the program, so quite a few guys that are brand-new, that haven't played before. A lot of it's just fundamentals and working on that.”
The MLCA/CCS boys had a tough year last year, being eliminated in the first round at districts and finishing the season at 4-8. But inexperience is a temporary thing, and every team gets better as the players and coaches learn to mesh.
“Coach CJ (Cheatwood) and I are both new coaches,” Jennings said. “This is my third year coaching. So (we’re) just learning how to work together.”
The veteran players are the ones to watch, Jennings said.
“Jonah (Robertson) is pretty good,” Jennings said. “He’s super athletic and a natural leader, so it’s nice to have that out on the field for us.”
“So far so good,” Robertson, who moves between pitcher, catcher and shortstop, said. “A couple more practices and … we’re pretty good. We’re all pretty athletic, so it’s more just learning how to play the game.”
“I think we’ve got potential this year,” said pitcher/first baseman Branden Schober, another three-year veteran of the program.
Second-year right fielder Antonio Serrato was a little more guarded.
“I don’t think we’re completely ready, but I don’t think we’re bad,” Serrato said. “I think it’s kind of a clean slate sort of thing. A little buildup because we have some younger guys just coming up.”
Joel Martin may be reached via email at jmartin@columbiabasinherald.com.
MLCA/CCS Baseball Schedule
March 19 - at Ephrata C-Team - 4 p.m.
March 22 - vs Concordia Christian - 4:30 p.m.
April 9 - at Bridgeport - 4 p.m.
April 11 - vs Cascade (Leavenworth) - 4 p.m.
April 13 - at Waterville-Mansfield (doubleheader) - 11 a.m.
April 16 - at Riverside Christian - 4 p.m.
April 23 - vs Bridgeport - 4:30 p.m.
Antonio Serrato throws the ball at the MLCA/CCS Lions practice Thursday. Serrato is one of a handful of returning players on the team.
