Baseball banquet and senior farewells
NC Varsity baseball comes to a bittersweet ending with NC being kicked out of the playoffs by the Newnan High School Cougars. The Warriors played in a two day series, winning one game 7-4 and losing the other two which resulted in the end of their season. However, Warriors looked forward to their banquet held on April 30th to celebrate the accomplishments achieved throughout the season.
May 8, 2019
As the high school baseball season comes to a close, the NC Varsity Warriors fight hard in their playoff game and gain recognition at their banquet. The Warriors eagerly look forward to the next season but think of the changes that will take place after their five seniors graduate.
After a very eventful start of the first playoff game against Newnan High School, with the Cougars scoring five runs in the second inning, maintaining NC defense for the rest of the game, Magnet junior Josh Dixon walked home bringing the final score to 5-1. The Warriors were discouraged but came back and fought even harder in the second game that day.
Magnet sophomore Harry Ford starts off the second Newnan game strong by hitting a home run, the first of his career. The NC Warriors kept Ford’s momentum going and ultimately won the game 7-4. “It was really exciting to hit my first home run, especially during a playoff game. Of course, I wish we would have moved forward in [the] playoffs but it’s just more motivation for next year,” Ford said.
The Newnan Cougars fought a losing battle but scored two runs in the third inning and one in the fourth. The NC pitcher, Jonathan Young led the team in incredible defense. The Cougars only scored one more run in the 5th inning, bringing the final score to 7-4.
After winning and losing a game, the NC Warriors drove back to Newnan the next day to play and see who would make it into the next round of playoffs.
With NC playing as the home team, the game started out with the Cougars scoring a run in the top of the first inning, and although NC demonstrated impressive offensive techniques, they, unfortunately, could not counter the original run.
Although the NC Varsity baseball team demonstrated impressive offensive and defensive techniques, they, unfortunately, lost the Newnan series and got kicked out of the playoffs. The team takes its loss and turns it into motivation for the next season.
The highlight of the game for the Warriors occurred in the third inning when Lovett and Smith made runs off of junior Jake Mantooth’s hit. This highlight couldn’t save the Warriors from a losing battle and they ultimately lost the game 15-2, kicking them out of the playoffs.
Although disappointed, the NC Warriors looked forward to being honored at their banquet on Tuesday, April 30 and continue to look forward to the next season where they hope to return better than ever.
“Banquets help to recognize accomplishments over the course of the season and as a way to turn the page on the year by saying goodbye to the seniors and create an expectation of success for the next season,” Head Coach Tom Callahan said.
The NC baseball banquet, held at Northstar Church, serves to honor the players, coaches, and parents who dedicate much of their time to the sport. Beginning with honoring the JV warriors, Coach Callahan then proceeded to honor the scholar-athletes for each grade level. These students work hard every day in the classroom and on the field and it shows. Following the scholar-athletes, the NC Varsity Warriors were honored with their letters. Senior players then recognized their coaches who had impacted them throughout high school with heartwarming speeches. Wrapping up the banquet, Coach Callahan recognized some special people who supported the program throughout the season.
The NC Varsity baseball team looks forward to next season and hopefully making it to playoffs another year and coming home with a trophy.
