BY MALLORY HAZELL
The varsity baseball team will face its most challenging game yet this Friday at Woodward Academy. The boys will play against the War Eagles (6-1), a state title contender that defeated the Knights by only one run a year ago.
“It will for sure test us as a team,” sophomore Peter Mastin said. “They are probably the best team we play this year.”
The Knights are looking to avenge last year’s loss but will have to do so without their since-graduated star player, Mason Gepp, the 2011 team’s ace pitcher and slugger.
The team has prepared by following a normal practice routine every day this week, including a Saturday practice this past weekend.
Woodward is known for its strong hitting, so pitching will be key in this game. Senior Mendez Elder, who signed to play college baseball at Savannah State, will start for the Knights, and Mastin will close. Sophomore Liam Henry is expected to handle the middle relief.
Woodward coach Jim Minor, also the assistant athletic director, is a former personal fitness teacher and works the team hard to improve its strength. Woodward’s only loss was against nationally ranked Columbus, and the team is looking to run the table for rest of the season. Among the War Eagles’ best players are Morgan Bunting, who is committed to play at UGA; Kevin Cosper; and shortstop Glenn Sawyer.
“We have a strong team and are looking forward to playing Grady,” Sawyer said. “They gave us a good, and heated game last year, which will make this year very fun. I feel good about the game. I think our guys are ready to go. We played some good competition down in Florida over spring break and are ready to come back to a week full of region games.”