Kenneth Manoj is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Liberty High School for AZPreps365.com

Over the past few weeks, the Liberty Lions have put together impressive performances, one after another, and now boast a seven-game win streak. But as coach Christopher Raymond reminds them, there is still a lot of baseball to be played.

And they could not be more grateful. 

“[This season has] been a blessing,” Kaden Schiefelbein said. “We have guys coming behind us that we want to show how hard we play, our love for the game, so even more than just our last season, just being able to spend it with some of the younger guys as well.”

Schiefelbein and fellow senior Patrick Steitz have led the way on the mound, recording three wins each, an ERA of 1.72 and 1.77, respectively, and a combined 55 strikeouts over 44 innings. In relief, the Lions can turn to Tyler Bribiescas, a lefty senior with a 1.83 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings. 

Kaden Schiefelbein , left, and senior Tyler Bribiescas , middle, working in the bullpen with pitching coach Mike Schiefelbein. (Kenneth Manoj photo/AZPreps365) 

With those two splitting time between basketball and baseball early in the season, Bribiescas, senior Tyler Toland, and sophomore Traig Oughton have had to take on more responsibility and have done well when called upon.

Pitching coach Mike Schiefelbein spoke to his responsibility of keeping all pitching options ready. 

“We’ve got guys in the wings and so it’s my job, even though they might not get work that week, we got to make sure in practice that they are prepared,” Schiefelbein said. “Their number could be called at any time.”

While their pitching has kept Liberty in most games, the production from the offense has been the fuel to the win streak. During this seven-game win streak, Liberty has outscored the opposition 80-30, scoring 10 or more runs in five games.

Senior Ryan Ambrosy leads the team with a .600 batting average, while junior Kolby Felix has added five home runs and 15 RBIs on a .433 batting average. Supporting them are the likes of Kaden Schiefelbein (.333, 12 RBIs), senior Andrew Briddle (.368, 14 hits), senior Ty Cowan (.370, 4 steals), and junior Daniel Osborn (.471, 9 RBIs).

When speaking about the hot bats, freshman Austen “Max” Charles spoke of the “base two” strategy impressed upon them by hitting coach Anthony Forelli. The mantra instills a mindset that the hitter should move the runner over, or get on base, if not both. 

“We kind of started off slow [in our execution], but [now] we are getting on an uphill trajectory,” Charles said. 

As the lone freshman on the varsity squad, Charles looks to capitalize on this experience. He understands the importance of learning from his more-experienced teammates and for that he is grateful to Raymond for this opportunity. 

With the season hitting the midway point, Raymond is focused on keeping the players' perspective on the present and attacking the challenges facing them today, not tomorrow. 

“One day better, one day at a time,” Raymond repeated throughout the practice.

He also praised the players’ dedication to the weightlifting program. Raymond credits much of the team’s improved hitting to the progress made in the weight room. 

“Instead of losing mass and strength [throughout the season], we are actually getting stronger,” Raymond said.

Bribiescas and Felix echoed their coach’s praise of the weightlifting program and spoke not only of how the team grew physically stronger through the program, but also grew closer as a team. Oughton recalled the scene of celebration when junior Ross Jones of the junior varsity team squatted 535 pounds, a Liberty baseball program record, according to Raymond.

“It was insane, everyone was going crazy,” Oughton said. 

It is these moments of joy and accomplishment that Raymond emphasizes as the true value of playing a sport, not just baseball. And after last year’s canceled baseball season due to COVID-19, Raymond could not be more grateful for this opportunity to develop these young men. 

“I know for a lot of us it has been a lot, there has been a lot going on across the country, and I think for us being back at the yard has made us feel normal again,” Raymond said. 

Here is a look at the upcoming games this week for Liberty: vs. Pinnacle (3-8) at 4 p.m. Tuesday; at Boulder Creek (5-9) at 3:45 p.m. Thursday;  vs. Boulder Creek at 3:45 p.m. Friday.