The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Coaching staff has talented group
By Bruce Mason, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: April 5, 2007
Believe.
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That's the Lincoln varsity baseball motto in 2007, adopted by varsity assistant coach Carlos Lozano.
Believe in yourself, believe in one another and believe in the team.
It's a concept Lozano took from his football days at Adrian College, and now is instilling into the Railsplitters - along with the help of father and head coach, Marty Lozano - with Gray t-shirts that read the motto on the back in Royal Blue lettering.
"We are a talented group," Carlos Lozano said. "Just see if they can start together as a team.
"We're kind of behind the eight ball on things, but the kids are adapting well."
They'll find out Thursday in the season opener as the Railsplitters hosts Dundee.
Starting on the mound is senior ace Corey Kelch, who leads a rotation composed of seniors Robbie Whittenberg and Alex Aldridge, along with junior Mike Dairy and freshman Andrew Dillon.
Kelch is not only the number one pitcher, but he's the number one hitter as well. Carlos Lozano says he'll bat in the three spot or cleanup and Aldridge will lead off.
Both players, along with the rest of their Railsplitters' teammates, will receive the Lozano coaching strategy - aggressiveness and discipline.
"It's going well, it really is," Lozano said. "They're adapting, they really are, the kids are doing well."
Lozano said the ultimate goal always is to make it to Battle Creek. But winning the SEC, which he labeled as one of the toughest leagues in the state, will not be an easy task.
Chelsea won the league last year. In fact, an SEC team has reached the final four at Battle Creek for the past three seasons.
"That's says something about conference," Lozano said. "Pioneer won it one year, then made it back again. You can never count out Saline and Dexter is up and coming.
"It's been five years since Lincoln has had a winning season. We're trying to get the kids to believe in their self, believe in this team."
Lozano added, "They have to believe in one another, they have to believe in this team, they have to believe in themselves.
Once you believe in something, you can put your mind to it—-you can accomplish anything."
An SEC title is what he and his father are preaching. Lozano said, now that he is older, he realizes nobody can take away the banner hanging from the rafters inside the Lincoln gym signifying the first SEC title in 30 years. He was on that memorable team, and hopes this Railsplitters team can capture a league title as well.
"We've known they can do it," he said. "When you get older, you'll look up at that banner (and say) 'I was a part of that team, and no one can take it away from you.'
"I think the kids are starting to finally understand that."
Bruce Mason is a freelance sports writer for The View and Courier newspapers. He can be reached through editor@ypsilanticourier.com.
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