LITTLETON — The balance of new and experienced has Liberty feeling liberated.
An 8-3 victory in Class 5A nonleague at Columbine on Tuesday at Frank DeAngelis Field pushed the Lancers to 2-0, the latest step in what they hope will be a continued turnaround under fresh leadership, an improved attitude and a core of seasoned players.
While it’s early, first-year coach Scott Cooper said “we’re playing real well right off the bat,” and methodically preparing for a 5A Colorado Springs Metro League schedule that will account for 15 of their 19 regular-season games.
A year ago, Liberty finished 8-11 overall, 7-8 in league, and missed the postsesason. However, the Lancers have nine seniors, led by catcher and Oklahoma State signee Brent Williams, who crave more. They’ll host Highlands Ranch’s Mountain Vista today, then neighboring 4A Cheyenne Mountain on March 20 before embarking on league play next month.
“We feel fortunate playing some good teams in Denver,” said Cooper, who also coached in Nebraska, Texas and Oregon. “We think we have the squad if we get the pitching.”
Williams, who was 3-for-4 with two runs batted in, said, “it just feels good to compete with these tough teams.”
The Rebels, in their opener and a probable contender within Jefferson County, fell behind early, never recovered and made four errors. Starter and loser Tyler Thomas fell behind in the count often as the Lancers’ first eight hitters in the order hit safely, produced a four-run second inning and added a three-spot in the fourth.
Liberty No. 8 hitter Zach Estes was 3-for-3, and leadoff Alex White and Avery Velasquez each scored twice.
“We start slowly, Columbine coach Chuck Gillman said.
Columbine had eight hits, but Liberty starter and winner Tim Elsberry pitched five strong innings.
Williams, who’s being asked to provide necessary leadership, admitted to being relieved that he has confirmed the next step in his future, “but I feel like I still have something to prove, I need to have a good season.”
The Lancers are counting on it.
Liberty: 1 4 0 – 3 0 0 – 0 — 8 – 11 – 0
Columbine: 1 0 0 – 0 0 2 – 0 — 3 – 8 – 4
Liberty — White ss 5-2-1-1, Turner lf 4-1-1-0, Williams c 4-1-2-2, Simon 1b 4-0-1-1, Bertagnolli 3b 3-1-1-1, Hibbert cf 3-0-0-1, Velasquez dh 4-2-2-1, Estes 2b 3-1-3-1, Schwabe rf 2-0-0-0, Wieman rf 1-0-0-0, Elsberry p 0-0-0-0, Parkin p 0-0-0-0, Price ph 1-0-0-0. Totals: 34-8-11-8.
Columbine — Burns ss 4-1-2-0, Durkin cf 4-0-0-0, J. Mohr c 4-0-2-0, Lopez 1b 4-0-2-1, Dowling lf 3-0-0-0, Fuller 3b 2-1-1-0, T. Mohr dh 1-1-0-0, Anderson 2b 2-0-0-0, Thomas p 1-0-0-0, Ramsey p 0-0-0-0, Ortiz rf 2-0-1-2. Totals: 34-8-11-8.
E — Burns 3, Fuller. DP — Columbine, Liberty. LOB — Liberty 8, Columbine 8. SAC — Anderson. SB — Burns. Caught stealing — Estes. 2B — Velasquez, Estes.
Batteries — Elsberry, Parkin (6) and Williams; THomas, Ramsey (4) and J. Mohr W — Elsberry (1-0). L — Thomas (0-1). T — 2:01.
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
