Coming off a playoff appearance in head coach Corey Farra’s first year, the baseball team will start its season against Allen at Hawk Field Feb. 20 at 10 a.m.
“Everything has to be earned,” Farra said. “If we can get that in our head, and not think that we’re owed something just because we performed well last year, we’ll be in shape.”
Last season, the Hawks finished their regular season second in the district, with a record of 11-3. The team lost in the first round of playoffs against McKinney Boyd High School, winning the first game 4-3 and losing the next two of the three-game series 2-4.
“It sparked a fire in everyone,” third baseman Quinn Bergman said. “We thought we had an easy win with McKinney Boyd, and that’s how everyone treated it. When they beat us, it opened our eyes [that] we need to treat every team like they’re our equals.”
The team has 20 seniors and three juniors this season, with 13 returning members. It will also be the second season with Farra as head coach. Pitcher Ethan Hunt said this made the players connect easily and helped their team chemistry.
“We’re like a family,” Hunt said. “We break out to ‘family’ after every practice, and we’re tight-knitted. We’re there for each other no matter what situation, and we push each other to get better.”
Allen also finished its regular season second in its district with a 10-4 record. The Eagles lost in the second round of playoffs against Martin.
“[We have] to make sure that we take this season one pitch at a time,” Farra said. “[We have to] remember that this is a new team that needs to make sure we have each other’s backs.”
Farra said the word he wants the team to play by this season is “Ship.” He discussed it with the team at their first practice Jan. 17, and said that he wanted the players to see the team as a ship to keep steering and grow closer as a family.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a freshman or senior, you’re part of this family,” Farra said. “That’s what it’s about — the team being more important than ourselves.”
