NEW HOPE — The Trojans began their playoff campaign in dominant fashion on Friday, sweeping Yazoo City in a doubleheader Round 1 matchup at Trojan Field. The win puts New Hope one win shy of 20 on the season, a team goal from before the season, and surpassing that milestone in the next round will help the Trojans achieve their biggest goals.
“We set team goals, one of which was to win the division and have home-field advantage,” head coach Lee Boyd said. “That’s a big plus to have in the playoffs, and our next goal was to get 20 wins, and that was our 19th today. I told the boys, ‘You get 21 and you’re playing for North State,’ and that’s exactly where we want to be.”
The Trojans, 19-11, won both games 15-0 on Friday, getting some playing time for younger players and seniors who don’t normally start.
“We saw their excitement in playing and getting their picture up on the video board. It’s nice for kids like Gage Price and Juice Tate, underclassmen we’re counting on next year, it’s nice to get them an opportunity to play.”
The Trojans also saw one of the team’s aces reach a milestone in his senior year.
Pitcher Austin Minichino registered six strikeouts in Game 1, making it 100 Ks on the year for the ace, the most of any Trojan in a single season that Boyd can recall.
Minichino missed out on the team’s run to the state semifinals series last year, but has been a force on the mound in his senior year. His performances have helped the Trojans to believe that they can make it back this year, and maybe go a bit further.
“That was a big blow for us last year,” he said of Minichino’s injury. “To be able to come back and give us a lift, and 100 strikeouts in a 28-game season is pretty impressive. That’s the most I’ve ever had in my time. I know there are a couple of guys in Coach Hester’s era that may have more, but it’s truly impressive and hopefully we get him a few more starts to extend that.”
The Class of 2025 features several players who have started for multiple seasons and who have put in the work for over a year to get the Trojans back within reach of the championship series.
Last year, New Hope fell to district rivals Lafayette one round short of the championship series. Since then, the Trojans have worked on themselves with their final goal in mind for this year: getting to Pearl to play for a state title.
“I think they realized how close we were last year,” Boyd said of the seniors. “They’ve worked hard in summer and fall, and they’re a tight-knit group. Guys have come in and out of the lineup, and there’s no selfishness. It’s been ‘Whatever you need me to do, coach.’ That’s a recipe for success, and I hope it helps us.”
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