New Perry baseball head coach Aaron Lyons is taking a simple approach to the 2020 season.
“We want to see improvement, and understand that we not going to take huge steps,” he said. “The key will be doing the little things right and improving where we can. The rest will start (to take) care of itself.”
Very little went right for the Bluejays last year, with the team enduring an 0-24 season. Perry was outscored 216-65 and batted only .204 as a unit. Perry batters generated only 112 hits and struck out 202 times.
Perry returns their top three pitchers, all of whom will be asked to carry the load in a compressed schedule.
Avery Meister threw 50-1/3 innings, Keghan West 34-2/3 and Kato Dougan 24-1/3. Meister led Perry with 43 strikeouts while walking just 19 batters.
Sophomore Kaleb Lyddon, freshman Carter Iben and freshman left hander Gavin Hegstrom will also be likely to see time on the bump, Lyons said.
The catching position may be by platoon. Senior Kaden Boyer will see some time in the gear, with Caden Steva and Kain Kilmer other choices to squat behind the dish.
Dougan is the leading returning hitter, having batter .242 with a double, a home run and a team-best 10 RBIs. He was 12-of-12 on stolen base attempts.
West hit .232 with nine RBIs and will also be asked to step up into an offensive leadership role.
Lyons was insistent that most positions were up for grabs, and that he would play whoever “shows they want the spot and shows with their play they deserve it.”
Lyons will focus on working with the infield, with varsity assistant Tony Oros working with the outfielders while JV coach Michael Craig focuses on pitchers and catchers. Scott Mortenson, an assistant JV coach, will aid where needed.
The goal, Lyons said, is to give each player more intense and personal instruction.
“We know we are not suddenly going to go out and win 8-10 games, but we also know we can be good enough to pick up a few wins,” the skipper said. “I have no doubt we will show an increased level of play and we are going to have fun doing it. If it isn’t fun, why bother?”
The season begins Tuesday when Gilbert visits Progressive Field. ADM comes to Perry Wednesday, with Perry traveling to Saydel Thursday.
PERRY BLUEJAY BASEBALL
6-16 Gilbert
6-17 ADM
6-17 @Saydel
6-22 @Winterset
6-24 @Carroll
6-25 @Boone
6-26 Ogden
6-29 Carlisle
7-1 @Bondurant-Farrar
7-2 Ballard
7-6 AC/GC
7-7 @Nevada
7-9 @West Central Valley
7-10 @North Polk
7-15 Winterset
7-17/20/22 District, Substate
7-28/8-1 State Tournament
