The varsity baseball team wrapped up their regular season on April 10 against Lyman, ending with a record of 21-3-1. As the team heads into the first round of districts on Tuesday April 15, they have one goal in mind; a state championship.

“We are super eager and hungry to win. A lot of people are counting us out because we don’t have the big-name guys that we have had in years past, but this year we are going all in, betting on ourselves,” senior outfielder Michael Pastrana said. 

This year’s team has already exceeded the number of wins with 21, compared to last season with 20, despite losing six college commits. Hagerty has consistently made the playoffs in the past few years, including last year where they lost in the regional finals to Buchholz High School. This year they feel as though they have unfinished business and are looking to make a deeper run in the postseason.

“Our level of team chemistry is something that no other team in the state has, and that’s what makes us special. We have everything on paper it takes to win a state championship, now it is just on the players to execute when it matters most,” senior outfielder Ryan Foscolo said.

Coach Mike Sindone has previously mentioned how important team chemistry is with this group of guys, emphasizing the fact that they all work really well together. This was evident with the 13-game win streak they started off the season with. After dropping two games in a tournament over spring break to Creekside and Windermere, they continued their winning ways by taking eight out of their next nine games, which included a scoreless tie with Lake Brantley that was canceled due to inclement weather.  

A key part of their success throughout the season has been the explosive offense. The team has scored 10 runs or more in nine of their wins, including a three-game stretch where they outscored their opponents 38-6. 

While many of the offensive contributions have come from the expected returning starters, the impact of freshman shortstop Aiden Kearney has been a factor. What has been surprising is his ability to fit in with such a mature group of players. He currently leads in hits with 26 and runs batted in with 21. Additionally, he has a 0.377 batting average and 0.946 fielding percentage, which is notable for a shortstop.

“I think I contributed pretty well, but now is when it really matters, getting into [the] playoff season so hopefully I can continue providing what the team needs. I need to keep putting in the work and listening to what Coach [Sindone] has to tell us and doing whatever the team needs me to provide,” Kearney said.

This team has been very well-rounded in all facets of the game. In terms of pitching, seniors Alex Pantoja and Max Murray have been especially important to this year’s pitching staff. Murray is leading the team with a 0.48 earned run average and Pantoja is second with a 0.56. 

Murray particularly shined in the rivalry game against Oviedo, where he pitched six innings, only giving up two hits and no runs while striking out 10. The game went into extra innings and in dramatic fashion, he won the game in the bottom of the 11th with a walk-off single. 

All around, this has been a very senior-heavy group with 13 players graduating in May, but their focus right now remains on making the most of the playoff run. They are trying not to get ahead of themselves. 

“The key to going on a deep run is focusing on one game at a time and playing each game like it’s going to be the last. Not looking ahead in our schedule is something our team has done a great job of all season. All the team is focused on as of right now is our game no matter who we play,” Foscolo said. “With the new rules of a three-game series in regionals, it could potentially be 13 [plus] games to win it all. Our region is filled with elite teams, so overlooking a team could put us in jeopardy for an upset.”