The Trojan baseball team ended the regular season and has its eyes set on a state championship win. The team is 27-3 overall and 13-1 in the region. 

Scott Johnson, head baseball coach, said he is very excited for the team.

“We have already clinched a Region Championship and the #1 seed from our Region for the playoffs,” he said. “For most of the season, we have been ranked #2 in the state. We have also been ranked nationally in the top 25 by MaxPreps, PerfectGame and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, with our highest ranking being #9 by MaxPreps.”

For the 12 seniors on the team, the season means a lot. Senior Chaz Hickman said the team is special because they have faced many challenges together.

“Ever since last year when the season came to an end because of the pandemic, we have had a chip on our shoulder,” he said. “This team is so special because of all the adversity we have faced. We have never given up.”

Senior Colton Cosper echoed his teammate’s sentiments.

“As a senior, this season has been very special,” he said. “Just knowing this is our last ride together is something sad, but it has been very fun. I know all of the seniors and everyone on the varsity team is ready to make a deep run and win the state championship, and we need everyone on the team ready to go at any moment if we want that to happen.”

Johnson coached most of the senior players when they were younger.

“Most of these guys have been together since the 7th-grade. In fact, I coached the majority of them that year on our junior high team. We were 12-1 and won the middle school championship,” he said.

Some of the boys have been together even longer and played travel ball.

Senior Mason Tribble said this is the moment the team has been dreaming of for a long time.

“Our entire career in the Carrollton Baseball program will culminate in the next month,” he said. “This team and this season is special because of the group of guys who are playing. We’ve played together ever since we could pick up a baseball, and that’s how we intend to finish — together.”

As for a state championship win? Johnson said it would be the cherry on top of an incredible season, but he wants his players to remember to enjoy the ride.

“For me, that’s one or two days of baseball,” he said. “I have told anyone who will listen to enjoy the journey.  Because of that mindset, I have been taking in memories since January when we had our first practice. A state championship would be the ultimate finale to an incredible season, but it is the journey that I will always remember.”