The final innings of the MIAA Division 5 state championship unfolded like a page from a classic baseball drama, as Georgetown High School’s Royals battled English High School’s Eagles in a seesaw contest that swung back and forth until the very last out.
A timely triple by Ty Southill in the seventh knotted the score at 2‑2, turning up the tension and setting the stage for a decisive eighth inning. Ryan Skahan’s sacrifice fly then delivered the winning run, giving the Royals a 3‑2 edge that would hold as the Eagles’ final chances slipped away.
Coach Phil Deselits, reflecting on the triumph, praised the collective effort that defined the season, noting how alumni, families and local supporters had woven a web of encouragement that lifted the team through every challenge.
The game also featured standout performances that underscored the depth of talent on both sides. Jaurel Melo’s five‑plus innings of disciplined pitching, punctuated by 14 strikeouts, kept the Eagles’ bats at bay, while Yuniesky Brea’s relief work threatened to spark a comeback before the Royals’ defense, anchored by Rex Nadeau, sealed the victory.
Beyond the diamond, the win carried symbolic weight, offering a measure of redemption for a program that had tasted defeat in the previous year’s championship. Brendan Loewen, observing the scene, highlighted the unique athletic culture of Georgetown, where a small‑knit community celebrates its athletes as much for their character as for their skill.
A community’s pride
The celebration that followed was not just about a trophy but about a shared identity. Parents, classmates and town officials gathered to honor a team that embodied the town’s spirit, turning a single game into a narrative of perseverance, camaraderie and hometown pride.