By Ken Hansard
As he enters his senior season, Julian Lyons of Hutchinson High School is ready to take command on the mound for the Salthawks in ACTVL Division 1 play. The senior pitcher is embracing both a leadership role and lofty expectations after earning ACTVL Second Team All-League honors as a pitcher and being named MVP after throwing a perfect game in a tournament.
As for the leadership role he plans to take for the Salthawks, Lyons says, “I am looking forward to stepping up and leading the team. I see myself as a captain – as someone who sets a good example.”
Last season, Hutchinson finished 15-12 and fell in the first round of regionals. Lyons, who threw strikes at an impressive 75 percent rate and has reached 97 mph on a pull down, believes this year’s squad is poised for growth despite its youth. “I think one challenge we will face is that we are really young, but we’ve been putting in a lot of work, and I think we’re more prepared than last year.”
Determined to elevate his game even more, Lyons focused on sharpening his off-speed command and adding new pitches to his arsenal. “I worked on controlling my off-speed pitches and adding a couple new ones to be an even tougher pitcher to face. Additionally, I think I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been.”
Lyons has set ambitious goals, including helping the Salthawks reach state and earning First Team All-State honors, but possibly more than anything, he wants to leave a lasting impact on the program, “I want to have a positive impact on my younger teammates before I leave.”
Lyons is especially eager for the triangular against Haven and Andale, where the Krol brothers will coach against each other. “I want to help give Coach Mace Krol bragging rights.”
Julian is weighing options for where he will continue his career collegiately, and he also hopes to have the opportunity to play beyond college.
