When high school athletes are surveyed across the country, time after time the No. 1 reason they give for participating is to have fun. Much smaller percentages respond it’s to win a championship, get a scholarship, become a pro, etc.
So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the seven seniors on the Huntington High School baseball team enjoyed their experience, despite the Blue Devils struggling mightily this season as well as in recent years.
Will Vollack with his mom, Sue and head coach Billy Harris on Senior Day. (Monica Fredericks photo.)
The Huntington baseball team celebrated Senior Day during their final home game of the season. The Blue Devils recognized Ethan Copp, Luke Eidle, David Fredericks, Ryan Gaines, Luke Giordano, Michael Marziliano and Will Vollack.
“It’s been a rough ride as far as our record goes, but we have a great group of guys here at Huntington and I’ve had a good ride playing here,” Eidle said.
Blue Devil head coach Billy Harris said he’s proud of each of the players and appreciates the contributions they have made individually and collectively to the program through the years.
“Huntington baseball was an awesome experience and I had a great time,” Giordano said. The camaraderie enjoyed by the players was extraordinary.
“When I play Huntington sports it’s like nothing else,” Marziliano said. “The coaches are great mentors, giving me many life skills that I will hold onto forever. The players are even better, always encouraging each other and pushing each other to our absolute limits.”
The Blue Devils entered the season with the hope of reaching the playoffs, but it wasn’t meant to be. Still, the players kept their heads up and focused on the fun aspects of the sport.
“Playing for Huntington has been an amazing experience over these past three years,” Fredericks said. “The friendships I’ve made with both my teammates and coaches will be some that I remember forever and I wouldn’t want to play anywhere else. This new group of younger guys will be a solid core for the future of Huntington baseball. I can’t wait to see the great things they accomplish.”
The Huntington baseball program is more than 100 years old and steeped in tradition. The team’s home field was in Heckscher Park until 1960. The Blue Devils enjoyed many eras of greatest when they ruled Suffolk baseball.
“Playing as a Blue Devil was one of the best experiences of my life,” Gaines said. “Win or lose, we’re always a family and the future is really bright for this team. I’d like to thank my teammates and coaches for everything I’ve learned through the process. I would do it all over again if I had the chance.”
Players remained fiercely competitive to the final pitch of the season, despite the team compiling a 2-18 mark in 2018. They retained their individual and collective sense of humor despite their record.
“Even though we couldn’t win if our lives depended on it, we sure had fun,” Copp joked. “We made lots of memories and I would play another four years if I could.”
