Champions unite through tragedy during the offseason
Brayden Allen, Sports Editor
The pitches are flying and the bats are swinging as the North Greenville baseball team is back out on the field to open up the fall for off-season training.
The veterans are excited to get going again, coming off the best season in NGU history. Newcomers are thrilled to put on the school colors for the first time and earn their spot in the program.
Just recently, the Crusaders got underway with their annual series of red & black team scrimmages. The youth of team red battled the experience of team black as all players got to showcase their talents for the first time this fall.
Veterans Cory Bivins, Zach Zarra, Pat Monteith and Bryce Roddy each got things started with home runs of their own while newcomers including junior transfer Colin Fowler and freshmen Josh Williams, Kyle Odom and Carter Dierdorf made the first plays of their careers as Crusaders.
“It feels great to be back coming off of the season that we had last year, we’ve old guys that have the same goal in mind,” Bivins said. “The team is extra competitive this year because there are so many great players at every position which is always fun to watch.”
However, while this offseason has already brought a lot of excitement and enthusiasm, it hasn’t been without adversity. North Greenville recently faced one of the biggest trials in the history of the program.
Tragedy struck the team with the sudden and unexpected passing of junior first baseman Davis Heller. He joined the team this summer after transferring from the University of Alabama.
Heller already made his presence known on the team, hitting the first home run of his career during the team scrimmages. However, his teammates knew him more than as just a great baseball player, they ultimately knew him as a gentle giant with a big heart.
“Davis’ passing is way more important than anything that has happened on the field this fall,” Bivins said. “We all want to honor who he was so everyone has been trying to live how he lived which was upbeat, positive, selfless and encouraging to the people around him.”
“Davis was only here for a short amount of time, but the impact he had on a lot of guys made it feel like he had been here for years,” Senior John Micheal Faile said.
Heller also made a unique impact on junior shortstop Jalen Vasquez who recently transferred to NGU from the University of South Carolina. During his time with the Gamecocks, Vasquez faced off against Heller while he was a part of the Crimson Tide, both teams were members of the Southeastern Conference.
While they really only knew each other for the time they had been at NGU, they still built a special connection, coming into the program at the same time.
“I didn’t know big Dave at the time when I was at Carolina but Lord knows I wish I would’ve gotten to meet him sooner.” Vasquez said. “I loved big Dave because of the way he carried himself on and off the field. You had to be there with him everyday to see how he was but he was something special.”
Heller’s passing has been a very difficult situation for the team but this tragedy has continued to bring the team together and help each of the players reflect on their own lives.
“It has really opened people’s eyes that tomorrow is not guaranteed,” Bivins said. “Everyone has been more uplifting to each other and been more inclusive through this.”
“When something like this happens, it is so eye opening, and makes you realize that tomorrow is not promised, and you can never take a day for granted.” Faile said. “The way the team has come together just shows you what we pride ourselves on, family.”
Not knowing when our time is up, we have to make everyday count like it’s our last,” Vasquez said. “That honestly made me want to be even closer with God.”
The Crusaders now head back out on the field to play in Heller’s memory, continuing to grow and progress as a team. They are excited about what comes next this fall and continue to push further towards the upcoming season.
“This is going to drive us to be better everyday,” Vasquez said. “This season will be for Davis and I know he will be with us.”
“We know that we have each other in these times of struggle, and there is always someone to lean on,” Faile said. “Davis’ impact will continue to carry us on, and motivate us throughout the year.”
