Lehman gets back to baseball after suspensions of 10 players and coach over alleged bullying

Q: What led to the suspension of 10 players and the coach at Lehman High School?

The suspensions were a result of allegations of bullying involving the players and the coach.

Q: How did the community react to the Lehman baseball team's return to play?

The community showed strong support, with fans from both teams attending the game and cheering enthusiastically.

Q: When did the Lehman Lobos baseball team play their first game after the suspensions?

The Lehman Lobos played their first game after the suspensions on April 14, 2026, against the Rouse Raiders.

Q: What was the atmosphere like at the Lehman vs. Rouse baseball game?

The atmosphere was lively and pleasant, with fans enjoying the game, food, and music, creating a festive spring night at the ballpark.

The Lehman Lobos baseball field at Lehman High School in Kyle, April 14, 2026. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)

KYLE — In many ways, the Rouse-Lehman baseball game Tuesday felt like a pleasant spring night at the ballpark.

Fans from both teams sat on metal bleachers, cheering for every big play. Kids indulged in nachos and the sounds of hip hop could be heard from loudspeakers between innings. A softball game featuring the same two schools was being played at an adjacent campus field at the same time.

Rouse Raiders Jacob Soliz (7) bats in the fourth inning as the Lehman Lobos play the Rouse Raiders, April 14, 2026 at Lehman High School in Kyle. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)

It was a perfect spring night to spend outdoors.

For Lehman, though, this was an escape from the harsh reality about serious bullying allegations that led to the suspensions of 10 Lobo baseball players and head baseball coach Jacob Kaase. The coach has been placed on paid administrative leave while Hays County law enforcement investigates a possible criminal among the allegations.

Last week, the Hays Consolidated ISD announced it would forfeit the rest of the season in light of the bullying reports. But after district and campus leaders met Friday with parents of Lehman baseball players, a decision was made to finish the season featuring those who were not implicated in the scandal.

Rouse, which is ranked No. 7 in the state in Class 5A, took a business-as-usual approach and earned a 10-0 victory at Lehman Stadium in a game called after the fifth inning.

Lehman coach Toby Robinson as the Lobos play the Rouse Raiders, April 14, 2026 at Lehman High School in Kyle. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)

Despite the loss, Lehman interim coach Toby Robinson applauded his team's effort.

"The kids did real good, we fought through some stuff," said Robinson, who has been with the school as a head coach and assistant coach for 22 years. "We have a couple things to work on in practice tomorrow. I'm very proud of them."

Despite the backdrop of the investigation, the game proved to be an outlet for those who have endured a week of negative attention surrounding the team.

"I didn't do anything different that I do everyday," Robinson said.

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Among the interested spectators was James Cruz, Lehman's principal for the past six months. He politely told the American-Statesman that any comments regarding the probe must originate from the district's chief communications officer, Tim Savoy.

Rouse (23-3) scored five runs in the first inning and was never threatened. The Raiders showed their power as Jacob Soliz and Adolfo Erives hit home runs. Soliz's shot, a liner over the left-field wall in the fifth, gave his team a 10-0 lead, essentially ending the game.

A team that thrives on hitting and defense, Rouse has the tools to be a serious state contender, Soliz said.

"We didn't have the best season last year," the senior shortstop said. "There were some missing pieces. It was a rebuilding season, we felt. This year we've established our roles on the team. A lot of us have gelled as friends and teammates."

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A pitcher warms up ahead of the game between the Lehman Lobos and the Rouse Raiders, April 14, 2026 at Lehman High School in Kyle. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)

Winning has become old hat for Rouse coach Chad Krempin, who has fashioned a career record of 561-240 in 23 years. He has coached five teams to the state tournament, including two from Rouse. He took Tuesday's win over Lehman in stride, saying some "little mistakes" his team made against might cost the Raiders in a championship setting.

"This is a special group of guys," Krempin said. "You could see it in September and October. A lot of them have matured from a year ago. They grew up, stronger. They've put in the work."