Exeter senior Anthony Cowan has a favorite position in baseball. “Pitcher,” said Anthony, when asked.
And his coach knows it. “He wants to be a pitcher,” said Matt Tripp, Exeter’s head coach.
Two years ago Tripp was the special education teacher and recruited Anthony when he noticed how much he loved baseball. “He did get to throw out a ceremonial first pitch, which was a strike by the way.” Tripp said.
And although Anthony doesn’t pitch in games, he’s proven very adept with the bat.
“Anthony is actually batting 1.000 on his entire career,” Tripp said. “He has actually hit a home run on every at bat.”
And for his teammates that’s no surprise. “A talent like Anthony’s, that’s bound to happen, you know?” said Zachary Lee, a junior on the team.
“I don’t think anyone can lay claim to that kind of a record,” Tripp added.
And while the homers are nice, he brings something bigger to this team. “Anthony’s the heart and soul of our team,” Zachary said. “We love having Anthony on our team. He’s always keeping the team hyped and going.”
“Just him being there changes the whole mood,” Tripp added. “He comes to home games usually. Occasionally he’ll come to an away game. When you see Anthony walking up, everything changes. All the boys are excited that he’s there.”
It is truly the end of an era as Anthony prepares for graduation. “It’s going to be tough, it’s going to be really tough,” Tripp said. “I can tell you if there is any way we can get some sort of volunteer coaching spot for Anthony that he’s always got a place in my dugout.”
It’s something Anthony is in agreement on. “Would you like to be a coach with me?” Tripp asked Anthony.
“Yes,” Anthony replied. That way Exeter can keep their secret weapon a while longer.
