The FWCD baseball team had an incredible season with a record of 28-1. At SPC, they were forced to play all of their games on Saturday due to the weather, giving the team little to no rest at all. Head Coach, Michael Settle ’99, praised their perseverance and ability to adapt throughout the weekend.
“I’m really proud of them for hanging with it and enduring the adversity that came with the weather,” Settle said.
Due to their heart and determination, the team went on to beat John Cooper 2-1 and win the SPC 3A championship for the second year in a row. This led to Settle’s favorite memory of the season: watching the team celebrate. He knew all of the behind-the-scenes work that went into making this happen, and it was great to see it pay off.
“I know how much it mattered to them,” Settle said. “It was definitely the best moment watching them celebrate together.”
Team captains were Matthew Lopez ’26, Jack Ogle ’26, Fulton Weaver ’26, and Jake Settle ’27. Settle described the captains as a good variety for the team, each having their best attributes that allowed them to lead by example.
“You’ve got some guys who are better at leading on the field, some guys are better at leading off the field,” Settle said. “Some guys who are vocal, and some guys who lead primarily by example.”
Lopez said that he tried to be a leader through his work ethic, attitude, and encouragement. A big goal of his was making sure that each of his teammates felt appreciated and included.
“Being a team captain is fun because you are one of the people that everyone looks up to and relies on,” Lopez said. “Having that privilege is really important and fun to have.”
Lopez thinks that the team’s biggest strength was their closeness and love for each other. There was a constant sense of support and motivation to do your best for your friends and teammates.
“We trust each other, play for one another,” Lopez said. “That chemistry helps us in big moments.”
Settle also acknowledged the team’s connection while also noting that resilience was another key strength. He described how the team had a very strong, competitive schedule this year, but no one ever panicked during a game.
“You just never felt like a loss was a possibility,” Settle said, “because our guys would get it done.”
That definitely showed throughout the season, giving each of the players an unbelievable memory that they will always look back on with a smile.
