New Hope baseball saw its season come to an end in the second round of the playoffs at Lafayette on Monday, losing 5-0 on the night to cap off a 2-0 series loss.
The Trojans end the season with a 19-13 record, falling to Lafayette for the second-consecutive year.
New Hope starter Conner Lewis only allowed five hits and two runs while striking out eight batters through 4 1/3 innings of work and reliever Carson Willis added another five strikeouts, but the Trojans couldn’t get their runners home on offense.
“We just didn’t play our best baseball on Saturday,” head coach Lee Boyd said. “I was proud of how they responded with a good practice on Sunday, and to be honest, the scoreboard didn’t really reflect how well we played last night. Lewis was fantastic. He struck out eight, and then Willis struck out five. Lafayette played well defensively and got hits at the right time.”
The Commodores held strong defensively behind Tanner Harris on the mound, who scattered five hits and struck out three. The Trojans were able to put the ball in play, but the hosts didn’t make many mistakes.
“We didn’t score, but we only struck out five times and put some good balls in play. They just made good plays,” Boyd said. “I’m proud of the work this season. We put a 29th division title on the board. Hate that it ended in the second round, but I told them I love them and I was proud of them. They have nothing to hang their heads about.”
Boyd said that one of the hardest parts of his job is having these teams and watching them play their last game. Nine seniors saw action on the night, and it was goodbye for the class that had some memorable moments for the program.
The 29th district championship in program history will be the mark the class leaves on the impressive outfield wall at Trojan field.
“They absolutely left their mark on the program,” Boyd said of the senior class. “They embody what we ask of players on and off the field. A wonderful career, I don’t know their record but it’s good, got a division championship and a final four appearance last year, and we wish them the best.”
In 16 years as head coach, Boyd has seen several classes come through and leave the program having made their mark. Even though adding another state championship banner was their goal this year, the Class of 2025 will leave the team having made an impact on the next group coming up to take their place next year.
“We try to tell the older guys that leadership comes with the territory at this point in their career,” Boyd said. “Even though the younger guys may not be playing, just take them under your wing, and it makes it easier for us coaches. They did a great job of that and we’re thankful for it.”
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