Over the weekend, Sequoyah baseball took home a win in its first tournament.
Playing in Roland, the Indians won three games to snare the Roland Wood Bat Championship. SHS started off with a big win against Roland, took down their rivals, the Keys Cougars, and held on for a win in the championship game.
“Our team played with incredible heart and focus all weekend,” SHS coach Erik Kirkpatrick said. “We executed well in key situations – timely hitting, aggressive base running, and solid defense really stood out. Most importantly, we stayed composed under pressure and supported each other every inning. That team-first mindset made a huge difference.”
With a young team, the win is key to building up their confidence early in the season.
“This kind of success early in the season is huge for a young group,” Kirkpatrick said. “It shows them that when they trust the process and play hard for each other, they can compete with anyone. It builds belief, confidence, and chemistry – those are the ingredients that fuel long-term growth and future success.”
The final game vs. Cameron was a battle for SHS. Early in the game, the Indians tied the score 1-1. Some strong base running led to two more runs.
Kurt Trammel scored on a wild pitch and set the way for Bryce Girty, who picked up a single, moved to second on a balk, and stole home to take a 3-1 lead. A walk to Crayton Sapp later in the inning gave SHS another run.
CHS responded but only mustered two more runs in the 4-3 loss.
“That game was a battle, and our guys stepped up when it mattered most,” Kirkpatrick said. “We got some clutch pitching down the stretch, made key defensive plays, and showed maturity in tough spots. The boys stayed locked in, and that resilience helped us close it out against a very good Cameron team.”
The trio of wins moves the Indians record to 4-2 this season. SHS is back on the diamond Tuesday, April 1, against Kiefer.
“This tournament gave our team a real taste of what we’re capable of when we play the right way,” Kirkpatrick said. “We’ve still got work to do, but this weekend can definitely be a springboard. It’s something to build on, and I know this group is hungry to keep getting better.”
