Lebanon baseball preview

FORECAST

For the first time since the Reagan Administration, a new coach patrols the dugout for the Warriors. Lance Links takes over for longtime coach Lee Day and he’ll have a chance to put his stamp on the team right away as nine of the 14 players on the roster are first-year varsity players. Links has three senior starters in the pitching rotation in Anthony Mangino, Steve Taylor and Nate Hube, but expects to rely heavily on a deep bullpen. A lack of a true power hitter in the middle of the lineup will force the Warriors to play small ball and attempt to manufacture runs.

KEEP AN EYE ON

Anthony Mangino:

The senior center fielder is Lebanon’s only returning player to log more than 50 at bats, hitting .312 with 21 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 2010.

Steve Taylor: The senior left-hander moves to the top of the rotation after logging just five innings last year.

Zach Beckner: The sophomore shortstop hit .333 in 11 varsity games as a freshman.

QUOTABLE

“Pitching and defense will be the strength of this team. If we can figure out a way to score runs, we’ll be in pretty good shape.” — coach Links

LAST SEASON

19-8 overall, 9-4 Greater Western Ohio Conference South Division

— Scott Hayes, staff writer

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