WEST POINT — In his first year at the helm of Oak Hill Academy baseball, head coach John Siary helped take the Raiders to the summit.
Oak Hill won its first-ever Midsouth Association of Independent Schools Class 4A state title in May, defeating Wayne Academy in the championship series.
Siary was rewarded again May 26 when he was named MAIS Class 4A Coach of the Year.
“I wasn’t expecting to get it at all,” Siary said. “I’m just very fortunate to be able to coach at Oak Hill and have the guys I had. They bought into what I had to offer. … Our mantra all year was, ‘Stay humble and hungry and it always pays off when you respect your opponent, respect the officials and the game.’ That kept us in the hunt all year round.”
He found out about the honor through a post on MAIS’s official Twitter account and said he was taken aback by the recognition.
Recounting that moment to The Dispatch, however, he deflected individual praise and credited the team, one that finished the season with a 21-9 record, sweeping Wayne for a state title.
“It’s not about me,” Siary said. “It’s more about the guys. It’s their season. I’m just there for the ride. … I knew we had the talent to do something good. Just getting those guys playing together, that created a team bond.”
Two of those players, seniors Colin Boyd and John Leyton Lewis were named to the All-MAIS Class 4A team.
Both are committed to playing at the next level, with Boyd headed to East Mississippi Community College and Lewis headed to East Central Community College.
“John Leyton was one of more calming factors on the team this year,” Siary said. “He brought a great skill set with him. He was my guy I went to on the mound when things got tight. … Colin was one of our best middle infielders. …They just believed. That’s what it came down to.”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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Oak Hill Academy baseball took home a number of postseason honors after their history-making MAIS Class 4A state title in May. Head coach John Siary was named Class 4A Coach of the Year while seniors Colin Boyd and John Leyton Lewis received All-MAIS honors. (Courtesy of Oak Hill Academy)
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