Squadron celebrates successful season
Published 9:31 am Thursday, April 28, 2016
Pictured are, front row from left to right, coach Justin Bragg and coach Jared Owens. Pictured are, second row from left to right, coach Jonathan Jordan, Chase Mansmann, Clay Hobbs, Daniel Phillips, Noah Phillips, Cole Brightwell, Avery Bradley, Aubrey Reeves and Brandon Strength. Pictured are, third row, from left to right, Cason Brightwell, Moe Moseley, Cody Brown, Treyton McGough, Dillon Harris, Kaleb Rinehart and coach Jason Williams.
With the Highland Home Flying Squadron’s season behind them, they simultaneously look to the future, while still remembering the accomplishments of this year.
The Squadron recently went head-to-head against New Brockton in the playoffs, and while they fought valiantly, the battle went to New Brockton.
“Just like always, as a team they fought really hard. They never gave up and battled from beginning to end,” said varsity baseball coach Jonathan Jordan.
“I was really happy with these guys because we were ranked at the end before the final entries came out. We were ranked seventh. It meant a lot to the team, community and school, and they worked hard for that.”
In game one, the Squadron fell 4-5, but not without putting up a fight.
Senior pitcher Cole Brightwell pitched all six innings with 12 hits, three strikeouts and four earned runs.
In the bottom of the second, New Brockton scored one point, kicking off the game at 1-0. At the top of the third, the Squadron took the lead by scoring two points and bringing the score up to 2-1.
The tides began to turn in the bottom of the third as New Brockton scored four points; both teams went scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings. The Squadron scored one in top of the sixth, and Brightwell pitched a shut out in the bottom of the sixth. The Squadron was able to score one more point in top of the seventh, but still fell.
The Squadron fell defeated again in game two with a score of 6-1.
Even though the season ended on a lower note, the Squadron still remains proud of the accomplishments they’ve made this season.
The team will bid farewell to one senior this year, Brightwell, but even though he is the only one leaving, the team will be losing a multi-talented player.
“He was our best pitcher this year, he was number two in batting and he was one of our best infielders,” Jordan said.
“You can say we’re only losing one, but we’re losing a really good one. He’s a guy that made a big impact on our team.”
The final record for the Squadron’s season was 16-8.
With this season behind them, the Flying Squadron now prepares for next year with summer workouts and training.
“These guys have been a pleasure to coach. They played hard all year and played the right way. They love to play the game, and it’s been a pleasure,” Jordan said.
“I’m really excited to coach these guys again next year.”
