This season, the Carmel Greyhound baseball team will feature a new coach, Jay Lehr. But, as a former player on Carmel’s team that lost in the Semi-state to Marion, he is someone with a deep knowledge of the program. The first-year head coach said he has a few subtle changes he would like to make to the Greyhounds’ preparation.

As a player, Lehr, who took over this season for former Head Coach Eric Lentz, was part of one of only five seasons in which the Greyhounds have made it out of the regional.

“As a staff we will try some different approaches to practices and game preparation, but there are also many things that former Head Coach (Eric) Lentz has taught me that will help with developing players,” Lehr said via e-mail.

Catcher and senior Clay Morrisson said he expects Lehr will change the team’s approach toward the season in a positive way. Morrisson said he expects Lehr to use his experience from playing well in the postseason as a player to lead the Greyhounds deep into the tournament this year.

“Coach Lehr has already begun changing the atmosphere of Carmel baseball in a good way,” Morrisson said via e-mail. “He has really helped not only the team as a whole but also has worked with each player individually, helping us achieve our team’s goals. As far as changes, we are playing during spring break down in Louisville, which we are all excited for, and we think is going to make a huge difference not being off of baseball for a full week in mid-season.”

The Greyhounds are looking forward to this upcoming season, and, according to shortstop and senior Cameron Cruz, they are looking forward to having Lehr as a coach.

“I really do like Coach Jay,” Cruz said. “He is a great guy that is very good with the players by carrying on conversations or just being a friend to them. He is also very good with helping out kids that desire to take their skills to the next level at college. But at the same time he likes to have fun but knows when to get serious and get work done. I really like Coach Jay as a person but as well as a coach.”

Lehr said he encourages the team to meet four expectations throughout the season in order to have a successful year.

“We expect our players to work as hard on the field as they do in class and in life, to do what is right on and off the field, to treat others the way they want to be treated, and to be prepared for anything and never assume anything,” Lehr said. “If we can achieve the above items, then winning will take care of itself.”

Last year the Greyhounds’ overall record was 9-21, but with the changes made in the offseason this year, they said they are aiming for a better record.

“There is no doubt that our team has a completely different approach going into the season with having a new coach,” Cruz said. “Our whole preseason approach has completely changed. In previous years we hadn’t put as much time into focusing on conditioning and preseason workouts as we have already this year. Coach Jay has voiced this will be a completely new program that will demand everyone’s excellence. I can feel the excitement when coach starts to talk about how we will win no matter what it takes. He will not stand losing. This philosophy gives the team a feeling of excitement for the season to start knowing we will be led by a coach that desires to win.”

According to Lehr, there is one must-have skill for all of his baseball players.

“The number-one skill is heart and desire to win. Each student athlete must understand his role on the team and be the best that he can be with that role,” Lehr said.

The Greyhounds will kick off their season on Monday  at home against Hamilton Heights at 5 p.m.