Tied for first place in district with two other teams, the Leopard baseball team has been doing extremely well this season.  The early success in the team’s first season in 4A can be traced to several things: great pitching, strong batting, and new head coach Russell Reichenbach.

The former head coach at Hurst L.D. Bell High School, Reichenbach replaced Brook Court who left the Leopards to take over at McKinney Boyd.

“Coach Reichenbach went through the Lovejoy hiring process and became one of the top three candidates. We brought back the three candidates for an additional round of interviews and the topic was all baseball related,” athletic director Jim Bob Puckett said. “He had a great background of success as a player and was part of a very successful 5A baseball program.  He seemed to have all the qualities that I was looking for in a head baseball coach.”

Administrators wanted Reichenbach, and he wanted the job.

“The overall success of the school is what really drew me to Lovejoy; athletically obviously but also academically,” Reichenbach said. “It’s just a place where expectations are high and I just wanted to be a part of that.”

Reichenbach is married with two daughters.  The girls can be seen at home games cheering on their dad during the game then running out on the field as soon as it ends to hug their dad and high five their favorite Leopards.

On the Friday nights, Reichenbach is calm and collected as he coaches third base under the lights. His players admire his field presence while also enjoying his attitude off the field.

“Coach Reichenbach is a very good leader on the field and handles himself in a very professional and distinguished manner,” senior Tanner DeVinny said.  “He doesn’t ever get rattled.  Off the field, he understands us. He likes to goof around and have a good time.”

    Along with the the team liking Reichenbach on a personal level, they also agree that he brings a deep knowledge of the game.

“He brings a lot of pitching experience and tools to the team that really help our pitching staff,” DeVinny said.  “He also brings leadership to the table.  He knows how to motivate us and I really respect him as a coach.”

Reichenbach’s previous experience in baseball is what has gotten him to where he is today. After playing in high school at Hurst L.D. Bell, he went on to pitch at Baylor University for two years and then transferred to UT Arlington where he finished his college career. He then coached at his alma mater for five years.

    Coming in to a new school, especially one moving up from 3A to 4A, would be a great task for any coach, but Reichenbach came in with high goals.

    “Expectations for this season were high,” Reichenbach said. “I told our kids that right away. Even though we’re going in to 4A and that stuff, we still want to win. It’s not like I’m guaranteeing a state title or anything like that but I expect us to get into playoffs and hopefully be playing our best ball when we get there and hopefully make a run.”

    The Leopards are currently 16-6 overall and 6-1 in district.

“We have been very pleased with Coach Reichenbach. He has established a great relationship with the players and parents and has this team playing very well,” Puckett said. “He has the given this program a very clear vision on how they are going to practice each day and that has carried over to their performance on the field. We are currently in a three way tie for the 13-AAAA District Lead and just beat the top AAAA team in the metro-plex.”