New Beginning for the Varsity Boys Baseball Team?

Following a few challenging seasons, the Golden Eagles look to get back on track to winning. 

The Golden Eagles varsity basesball team huddles after a game. (Photo Provided / EagleTalon)

After a few challenging seasons, the boys varsity baseball team looks to improve and make a long run for a state championship. The last state playoff game in school history was in 2019. 

The Golden Eagles will be led by their team captains: senior shortstop Miles Franklin, junior outfielder Jaquez Jackson, and sophomore outfielder Robert Ward. All these players were standout players last year for the Golden Eagles. 

“I’m very excited,” Ward said about the upcoming season. “The team is better than last year’s team.”  

The Golden Eagles acquired five new freshmen and one transfer student this year. They look to make another state playoff run after disappointing losses in the playoffs in back-to-back years. The Golden Eagles lost in the first round of districts two years ago but made it to the second-round last year. 

“We just need to relax and make the plays on defense and control what we can control,” Franklin said of what is needed to win this year.  

Sophomore Robert Ward stares down a batter. (Photo provided / EagleTalon)

The Golden Eagles went 9-13 last season with three games losing by one run and games lost in extra innings. Defensive errors late in those games were the deciding factor.  

“One of our main focuses this year will be defense,” senior outfielder Dameon Jones said.  “We already know we can hit the ball but, we need to have defense to help us win more.”  

The Golden Eagles will start the 2024 campaign off with two road games against Andrew Jackson and Englewood. Their first home game on February 27 will be against First Coast. 

Junior outfielder Jaquez Jackson squares up for a pitch. (Photo Provided / EagleTalon)

The team will match up with their school rivals, Stanton College Preparatory School three times: one neutral, one away, and one home. 

“Some of these teams on [the schedule] we lost to last year and I know we are ready to get our revenge against them,” junior pitcher Dominic Craig said.