The Long County High School baseball team recognized seniors Zachary Duncan, Cody Fleck, Tristan Goodro, Austin Mills, Cole Ray and Phillip Swindell during a ceremony last week.
Duncan played four years of high-school baseball but this was his first year playing for Long County. Duncan, who was escorted by his father, said he enjoys hunting, fishing and raising farm animals. He said that baseball is a team sport, which means all future Blue Tide players need to focus more on the team than on themselves as individuals.
Fleck played four years for Long County and will attend Savannah State University in the fall. He was escorted by his parents, Candice and Jeff Dean, and said that he also enjoys playing basketball. Fleck told future players to wear their baseball uniforms with pride, always keep their heads up and never get discouraged.
Goodro also played four years for the Blue Tide, and he was escorted by his parents, Amy and Shawn Smith. He is a volunteer firefighter and recently signed a scholarship to attend and play baseball for Middle Georgia State College, where he will pursue a nursing degree. He told future players to always do their best because, “You never know who might be watching.”
Mills, who was escorted by his parents, Shandale and Shawn Mills, played for Long County for three years. He also played for the Tide football team and said he enjoys mixed martial arts. Next year, he’ll attend East Georgia College to pursue degree in physical therapy. He told his teammates that he enjoyed playing with them and he wishes them all the best in the future.
Ray was escorted by his parents, P.J. and Cliff Ray. He played for the Blue Tide baseball team for four years, and said he also enjoys basketball. He plans to attend college next year and then apply for medical school. He told future players to enjoy every minute that they have on the baseball field because before they will know it, that time will be over.
Swindell was escorted by his parents, Amy and Phil Swindell. He, too, played baseball all four years in high school, but this was his first year at Long County. He is a member of the National and National Junior Honor Societies, and he is the youth music leader at First Baptist Church of Ludowici. He will attend and play baseball for Piedmont College in the fall on a scholarship. He plans to major in athletic training. He told his fellow players that achievements aren’t determined by highlights and homeruns, but by the difficult times one must grind through.
The Blue Tide baseball team finished its season with a 13-13 record. Go to www.coastalcourier.com for more pictures of the ceremony.