This year our ERHS baseball team had a very successful season. The team had a record of 13-3, and brought home the regional championship after beating Bowie 8-5, winning it for the third year in a row. They came up short in a 5-8 loss in state quarterfinals, but the team showed fight and did not give up. This was the story throughout the season as the team never suffered back to back losses, and while they had some downs, they always managed the use them as lessons to get better. 

Coming into the season, there were very high expectations for our ERHS baseball team as last year they went went undefeated, bringing home regional and county championships. The team had many returning players along with a new coach, who would hopefully continue the teams success.

The team started the season off with a win against Wise but would lose their next game to High point due to erros and miscommunications. And While the team would end up bouncing back and having overall success, when speaking with outfielder Khamari Lee, he stated “If there was one thing that I could’ve changed this season it would have been how we bonded”. Throughout the season, a majority of the teams mistakes came from a lack of communication and a lack of trust, which was displayed in the High point loss. If the team would’ve developed more chemistry, some mistakes and even lost games may have been avoidable as there is a sense of relief when you know there is someone always backing you regardless what happens. This is also something that returning players for next year should take into account as down moments can be avoided simply by trusting those around you.

As previously mentioned, the team would bounce back from the loss and go on to win their next 6 in county games. And while they would end up losing their second game of the season to Laurel, they were able to avenge their loss to High Point in a blowout win. They would ultimately go on a hot streak to end the season, and would finish with a record of 13-3  in county play, placing them in the regional championship against Bowie. 

This game against Bowie would be the first playoff game the team would have this year, and they were able to beat Bowie for the second time to bring home yet another regional title. The team would carry this momentum into a very close game against Laurel HS, where the season would unfortunately end due to a last inning comeback from the Spartans.

While the season did not end the way the players and coaches wanted it too, it was still a phenomenal season from the team as they ended up having three all-county selections, and another plaque for the trophy case. Hopefully the team can carry over the momentum, to next season and do even better.