The calendar turns to January, and the season of spring sports begins. The JV and Varsity baseball teams start their first full week of practice on Monday.
“I’m ready for the season to start,” senior Jose Gutierrez said. “I’ve been waiting all year.”
The two new coaches for the Eagles are Dalton Tharp and TJ McVey. Coach Aaron Allen is returning.
“I would like to see us win a tournament,” McVey said. “With our new district, I would like to see us win a District championship and then make a playoff run.”
The Eagles finished in second place in their district last year. Last year’s district champions, Franklin, is not in the district this year.
“I would also like the program to be successful, not just in the win column,” McVey said. “I would like to be successful [in] preparing the players for life after high school.”
The Eagle’s first game is a pre district game vs Eustace on Feb. 7. The start of district is March 3 vs Westwood. The Eagles split their two district games vs Westwood in 2024.
“I’m excited for the season,” sophomore Karter Ferguson said. “[I] think we can really improve under Coach Tharp.”
The Fairfield baseball team has not had playoffs success since senior Angel Serrato has been in high school.
“My team goal for this season is to make it past the first round of the playoffs,” Serrato said. “I also would like to win district.”
Tharp previously coached at Prairie Grove/ Rogers Heritage 2014-2017, Inspiration Academy 2017-2019, Piedmont Pride 2018-2019, SAGU 2019-2021, Western Texas College 2021-2022, and most recently at Rice from 2022-2024.
“[I intend to] provide a great experience/opportunity to develop young men of great character within the game of baseball,” Tharp said, “and compete at a high level through our actions on and off the field.”
