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Over the coming months, Prep Baseball Report Virginia/DC will take a look back at the 2015 season for each school that finished the spring in the final 2015 Power 25. In each article, we will not only recap the successful seasons of these 40 schools, but highlight the individuals who drove that success and preview what the outlook is for each team in 2016.

10. lafayette rams

 

Season Recap:
Lafayette went 22-6 during the 2015 season and shared the 3A East Regional Championship with Loudoun Valley because the championship game could not be played because of weather. The Rams then capped off their great postseason run as they beat the defending 3A champion Vikings to win the 2015 3A State Championship with a game-winning home run in the top of the seventh inning.

Key Performers:

Matt Keane: (C, 2015, William & Mary) Keane hit in the leadoff spot down the stretch for the Rams and brings rare speed for a catcher as he was a base stealing threat when he reached base. He also provided a strong arm and good receiving skills behind the plate.

Daniel Blankinship: (RHP/IF, 2015) Blankinship had a strong season on the mound and at the plate for the Rams. On the mound he had a low to mid 80s fastball and a good three-pitch mix. At the plate, Blankinship had a line drive approach and used the whole field to hit for a high average.

Andre Lipcius: (MIF/RHP, 2016, Tennessee) Lipcius received All-State honors and was the Rams’ best all-around player in 2015, anchoring the lineup, playing good defense at shortstop and bringing a high 80s fastball that touched 90 to the mound. Lipcius is currently the 22nd ranked player in the Class of 2016 Rankings.

Luc Lipcius: (OF/LHP, 2016) Like his brother, Lipcius was also named to the All-State team and took away a lot of extra base hits with his range in centerfield. Lipcius hit the game-winning home run in the last inning of the State Championship game as he blasted a pitch into the Visitor’s Bullpen at Liberty University.

2016 Outlook:
The Rams will have to replace Blankinship’s contribution on the mound and the leadership behind the plate and havoc that Keane created on the bases, but otherwise bring back six starting position players as they look to defend their 3A State Championship. Andre Lipcius will again be one of the more dominant arms in 3A and he will be the centerpiece of the Ram lineup. Andre, his brother Luc, Jared Antle (MIF, 2017), and John Keene (C, 2017) will form an experienced group defensively up the middle that will also be the core of the Ram lineup along with fellow returning starters Preston Goodbar (MIF, 2017) and Braydon Venus (OF, 2017). Lafayette has a talented core coming back and should again be one of the more competitive teams in 3A in 2016 as they look to defend their title.