By Chris Parker
Central baseball made program history last season by winning 13 games.
“I looked at every yearbook in the CHS annals. We had a third-place state finishes in 1957 and 1960 and a runner-up in 1963. 13 wins is the most in school history and the first winning season since 2002. They played a lot fewer games but no team in CHS History had more than 11 wins,” Central head coach Jerrod White said.
That success has motivated the returning players since the 2024 season ended.
“Our seven returning seniors have put in a full winter of training and weightlifting,” White said. “Their intensity is contagious. This group has not rested. They went straight into playing summer travel ball, then into a full fall off-season together, and now an early morning winter weight program led by Dr. Alexander. Their hard work has paid off as each of them look stronger and more athletic since last season.”
The goals for this season are two-fold.
“(We want to) win a post season game, but more importantly we’re emphasizing enjoying our last year together to the fullest extent. It’s been an awesome ride with this group,” White said.
Eight total starters return from last season’s historic squad.
Look for Brody Holland, Victor Everts, Rowen Hart and Barrett Burns to anchor the pitching staff.
Everts led that group in innings with 41.1 with 44 strikeouts. He had a 4.06 ERA. Hart was just behind him with 38.2 innings pitched with 32 strikeouts and a team-best 2.35 ERA.
Zac Cannon moves behind the plate at catcher for his senior season. He started at shortstop his first three years. Cannon hit .338 with a .457 on-base percentage. As a junior, he had 18 stolen bases to lead the team.
The infield will feature AJ Stanfield (first base), Hart (second base/third base), Everts (second base/third base), Holland (shortstop), Burns (shortstop) and Zach Fox (third base).
Holland was the team’s top hitter last season with a .408 ERA while driving in 17 runs and scoring another 19. Hart was a big bat with a 1.116 OPS and a team-high 50 total bases. He drove in 25 runs and scored 25. Everts led the team with 27 RBI behind a .333 batting average. Burns tied with Cannon for a team-high 26 runs scored and led the team with 21 walks helping him post a team-best .511 on-base percentage.
The outfield will be manned by Grayden Fine in left, Aden Smith in right with Burns and Holland each seeing time in center.
This year’s team will go as the senior class does.
“All seven seniors lead by example and demand younger teammates meet expectations. The first week of practice has been awesome to see their intensity without much needed by coaches,” White said. “This group has seen a three-win season their freshman year and led us to 13 last year. They train together, encourage one another, and hang out constantly outside of baseball. They’ve been a joy to coach and watch grow together.”
Central opens the season on Mar. 24 at home against Forsyth.
