East Hardy Baseball won the Class A state championship last season for just the second time in program history down in Charleston.
This year the state tournament has moved to Marshall University in Charleston and the Cougars are on the prowl for an encore, but taking it one game at a time with focus and determination that will be of utmost importance.
East Hardy has a faithful following cheering from the hillside at Raymond Snapp Field and big road warriors.
The Cougars had struggled last year in the first half of the season, but turned a new leaf with a strong second half push and stellar finish at GoMart Ballpark to capture the crown.
East Hardy skipper Tyler Mongold knew how much it meant to the kids to persevere and claim that championship, so this year it will be prudent to remain dedicated throughout the journey.
“We’re really excited to get back to playing. This starts a new year and we are going to treat it as one. You never know how a season will go. Last year, we dealt with injuries and battled back to be playing our best baseball by the end of the year. Same goal for this year, to be playing our best ball at the end of the season. Just take it one game at a time. I believe the Marshall venue will be great for the kids and the change of scenery. By that time of the year, you’re happy that you are still playing and competing for a state championship,” East Hardy Baseball coach Tyler Mongold remarked.
East Hardy had to push back the opening few games of the season as the boys basketball team reached the state semifinals for the third straight season and much of that roster competes on the baseball team.
The Cougars graduated one senior Jordan Teets, so the state championship roster remains mostly intact with the addition of a talented group of freshmen to provide extra support.
All the Cougars fans will be familiar with the talent flooding the field this season returning for a state championship encore.
East Hardy has an elite middle infield with senior brothers Evan and Mason Hamilton, who have committed to play baseball at Potomac State College of WVU under Catamounts skipper Doug Little.
Coach Little just earned his 900th career victory this season and the number keeps growing.
The Hamilton twins just helped the Cougars basketball team reach the state semifinals and have been playing baseball during the offseason for USA Prime and the Bridgewater Reds in the Rockingham County Baseball League.
Joining the Hamiltons on the Reds roster are junior teammate Garrett Van Meter, East Hardy/Bridgewater College alum Brett Tharp and Moorefield/Fairmont State alum Isaac Van Meter.
Evan and Mason Hamilton with fellow senior Shayne Sisler (P/IF) and junior Garrett Van Meter (P/IF) led the state tournament pitching rotation.
East Hardy senior outfielder Patrick Mills had an electrifying diving catch in the state championship and fellow senior outfielder Levi Price made alert throws and kept the bat swinging.
East Hardy senior Eli Combs will provide more speed on the base path.
Returning state champion juniors are Garrett Van Meter (P/IF), Dayton Dove (OF/IF), Brandon Wilkins (OF) and Kaden Barrett (IF/OF); sophomores Gage Dove (OF/IF/P), Mason Wilkins (C/OF), Jacoby Thomas (P) and Kyrstian Byram (P/IF).
East Hardy roster continues to build on the foundation with sophomore Owen Miller and seven freshmen: Cole Lantz, Marshall Walker, Jacob Turner, Bentley Kessler, Ryan Gosnell, Kipton Miller and Brinn Childers.
This young crew adds more agility and pitching support en route to Huntington.
East Hardy assistant coaches joining skipper Tyler Mongold will be his father Calvin Mongold and Kevin Price.
East Hardy will start the season at Petersburg tomorrow.
The Cougars have added out of state opponent Clarke County, VA this year, plus three Maryland schools: Allegany, Fort Hill and Northern Garrett.
The Cougars will be playing in the annual McDonald’s Classic in Bridgeport on April 17-18.
East Hardy will play cross county rival Moorefield on the road on April 10 and back home on April 21.
East Hardy has a solid slate on the schedule including Berkeley Springs, Pendleton County, Tucker County, Hampshire, Paw Paw, Tygarts Valley, Pocahontas County, Class AAA state runner-up Frankfort, Washington, Keyser and closing out the year at Jefferson who is coached by John Lowery, the all-time winningest coach in Mountain State history.
The Cougars are set to claw down to Huntington to defend the Class A state championship.
