By — Andrew Rooney
The Peach County Trojans maintained a streak they’ve been witnessing all season after beating Baldwin 29-0 Saturday. That victory moved the Trojans to 18-2 on the season and 6-0 in Region 1-3A.
Peach’s current record is a marginal improvement from this time last year. By mid-March in 2024, the team boasted a record of 12-4. But this season, Peach has only lost to Flowery Branch (6-3) and McEachern (10-0), both higher-classed teams, in back-to-back games.
“We got off to a good start the next weekend on Friday night against Flowery Branch, up 3-0 heading to the top of the 7th,” said head coach Joey Hiller. “We got one out and then the wheels came off, and we got beat. The next morning at 10 a.m., we faced a very good McEachern team with their ace on the mound. ‘Chubb’ Jones Jr. was very good against us, topping at 95 several times. I was proud of our guys who took some really good swings against him.”
The latter half of the 2023-2024 season was where many of Peach County’s losses happened against Mary Persons (2-1, 5-2), Mount de Sales Academy (7-2), and Harlem (6-4, 6-1). Though Peach County is not slated to play against any of these teams again in the current season, overall season performance remains in the air, with 12 more games ahead of them to prove that this season’s success is the result of dedication and hard work.
As Hiller puts it, there’s a lot more places the wheels could fall off.
But experience has driven the Trojans.
Senior Jackson Peavy is a left-handed pitcher who also plays first base and outfield positions, ranking 2nd in the state for strikeouts this season, tailing just behind 1st with 65.
Other key players such as Scout Willingham and DJ Hudson have found their stride this season, boasting some of the team’s best statistics. Willingham holds a batting average of .452, five homeruns, and 24 RBIs, along with Hudson who holds a batting average of .468, two homeruns, and 24 RBIs as well.
Though these players stand out as integral to the Trojans, this season’s success is undoubtedly the result of a strong collaborative effort that may take the team deep into the playoffs and possibly bring the program its first state title.
“We are growing and getting better, which is all I can hope for,” Hiller said. “There are so many talented teams in 3A. We know that we have to show up to win each day. I am extremely proud of where this program has come in my three years here.”
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