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 As many of you may already know, I love to play baseball. This page is a dedication of sorts to the 1998 Williamston High School Varsity Baseball Team, ICL and District Champions! This was one of Williamston Baseball's most successful years in recent history and I was just glad to be a part of it all.
First off, I'd just like to recognize our late Junior Varsity Coach, David Conklin, who was tragically killed in a car wreck in October of 1996. This Varsity team is the last where all of its players had the privilege to play under Coach Conklin.
Over the years, Williamston Baseball has been growing stronger. We made our first entrance to the local spotlight when we were invited to the Diamond Classic in 1996. Though we suffered a first round defeat to Holt, we were a growing team, and looked forward to the next season. And, next season faired well, we made it to the semi finals at Olds Park where we lost to the eventual champions of the tournament, the Grand Ledge Comets. However, we still had not accomplished the goal we had strove so hard to reach, the Ingham County League Championship. DeWitt, our arch rivals had stolen it from us again last year along with the District crown. However, little did they know, the following season would bring bitter sweet revenge.
 Little was expected of the Hornet team for the '98 season, losing all but 2 starters, our future in the ICL race looked grim. But, we earned some much deserved respect when we traveled to Carlton Airport on April 4th to play the #1 ranked team in the state, Blissfield. After 7 wind gusted innings, the Hornets prevailed, by a score of 6-4. After winning such a big game, we knew we had another task at hand, and that was Carlton Airport. Though we did not know it at the time, they were one of the best teams in the state, and in a division higher than us as well. This lack of knowledge of the other team led us to an un-intimidated 11-1 victory, with me on the mound for the first 5 and a third innings. After that the team took a trip down to Georgia for Spring Training. However, I was unable to join them because of a unique job opportunity, though I really wish I had gone.
 We began our league schedule against baseball powerhouse DeWitt, who had destroyed our league title dreams last season. With my record being 2-0 with two very convincing victories, it was decided I would be the one to start on the mound. I was nervous as all heck, knowing full well what this game meant to our title hopes. However, we won the game! I struck out 7 (including the side in the first inning) and walked none, giving up only 2 runs on 3 hits and pitched the full 7 innings.
Our team won the ICL, as well as the District Championship, something Williamston Baseball hasn't done since DeWitt entered the league in 1981. That was the last time a team other than DeWitt had taken the ICL outright.
I ended the season 8-2 with 61 strike-outs and 12 walks. My team was 25-9 and celebrated an enormous season. Because of my efforts on the mound I was named 1st Team, All District and was accepted to the area all-star team as well.
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