FREDDY GONZALEZ | Valley Morning Star
LASARA — The Lasara Lions might be a small Class 2A program, but that doesn’t stop them from dreaming big.
For some baseball teams that big dream might be a state final four appearance or winning the state championship, but for a team that’s in just its sixth year of existence a simple playoff spot would have a profound impact on the program.
“For now we’re just trying to make into the playoffs,” said Lasara second baseman Eli Garcia. “We haven’t made it in the last few years so we’re hoping that this year we can make it and be the first team from Lasara to make it to the playoffs.”
While a postseason berth may sound minute to some, in District 32-2A it’s easier said than done. And with just nine players on the team, Lasara head coach Frank Torres must make the most of what he’s got.
“When you have a small team like ours, you have to make the best of what you have,” said Torres. “We’re a 2A a school so we don’t have the numbers of a 4A, 5A or 6A. I’ve talked to some of the coaches that have 75 players on the team and I’ve only got nine.
“We’re just trying to build up the program and start from scratch this year because we lost a lot of guys last year. Playing in the district that we do is a tough task, but you have no choice but to go out there and play our best. Any small victory is a game changer for us.”
One goal that will get the Lions closer to their objective is team chemistry, which is something Lasara’s Rolando Gonzalez listed above everything else.
“Right now our main goal is to work as a team because most of us are going to be back on the team next year,” said Gonzalez. “We’re a pretty young team, full of freshman and sophomores, and maybe next year we could be better than this year.”
Currently the team stands at 1-6 in district action, however as Coach Torres explained, there isn’t a player on the team that has given up.
“The district record does not show the progress that these kids have made throughout the season so far,” said Torres. “Their never-give-up attitudes and their desire to get better is what I see every day in practice, and that leads me to believe that this program will turn around in the near future.”