Perhaps no team in western Kentucky lost more to graduation than the Lyon County Lyons.
Lyon saw the departures of its top three hitters and two of its top three pitchers.
Brody Williams is now playing at Kent State while Gunnar Bingham is at Murray State.
Williams, Bingham and Jackson Shoulders helped carry Lyon to the state semifinals two seasons ago and leave a big legacy.
But the Lyon baseball program continues to churn out young talent. With only two seniors and no juniors this season, it’s just a matter of how quickly those youngsters continue to advance that Lyon becomes a major player in the 2nd Region again.
Sophomores Eli Baker, Brady Belt and John Bingham return to anchor what should be a strong pitching staff.
Baker was 6-3 last season with a save and a 1.56 earned run average. He took the mound in some big games, including the state All A Classic. Baker struck out 51 in 49.1 innings.
Belt tossed 23 innings last year, going 4-0 with a save and a 2.43 ERA.
Bingham was 3-0 with a save in 17.1 innings while recording a 2.83 ERA.
Another sophomore, centerfielder Turner Hurst, hit .323 and drove in 22 runs last year while Bingham, a second baseman, batted .322 with 17 RBIs.
The Lyons hit .351 as a team last year and scored just under eight runs a contest.
Baker, who can play multiple positions, was a .318 hitter with a home run and 24 runs batted in.
Sophomore shortstop Austin Spears hit .315 with a dinger while driving in 23 runs a year ago.
Belt likely takes over at first base. He hit at a .294 clip last season.
Yet another sophomore, Peyton Williams, looks to replace his older brother behind the plate.
He homered four times last year while hitting .286 and knocking in 14.
Williams also figures to bolster the pitching staff after going 3-1 with a 3.50 ERA while tossing 14 innings last season.
Senior Aiden Waters takes over at third base and could see some pitching duty.
Senior Peyton Carney starts in left field while sophomore Drew Richie plays in right. Both could also see some time on the mound.
Even with a youthful team, Lyon looks to be the favorite again in the 5th District after capturing the last three championships.
Lyon figures to be a contender again in the regional All A Classic. The Lyons won that event last season and in 2019 as well.
By the end of the year, Lyon should to be a tough out when the 2nd Region tournament rolls around.
With so many youngsters in key spots, Lyon County’s future seems to be in good hands. But don’t sleep on the Lyons in the present either.
