Heritage head coach Eric Beagles said his Generals are “committed to excellence” in their second season.

Beagles said his nine upperclassmen are hoping to pave the way for a winning season following the school’s inaugural season in 2009. 

‘We do everything in a sense of urgency, enthusiasm and conviction,” he said. “We have to continue to work the process and not get so result oriented. I think a lot of people get caught up in that. We just have to make sure we keep true to that process of coming everyday with a conviction to learn, get better and improve.”

The Generals will be led by seniors David Zatellie (C), Kyle Tucker (P), Derrick Core (OF/C) and Patrick Kolwyck (P/1B);  juniors Riley Sparks (P/OF), Jarrod McDade (OF), Jake Wallin (IF), Zach Carroll (IF), Jake Sherrill (OF), Brad McDonald (IF) and Paul Clayton (P).

Jacob Sampson and Hunter White join Tucker, Kolwyck, Sparks and Clayton on the hill.

Sparks and White played a key role in Heritage’s 4-1 victory over visiting Gordon Lee on March 1 in both team’s season opener.

Sparks threw three innings, striking out five

to get the win. He also added a double at the plate. White had the other two hits for Heritage.

Beagles said winning the first game of the season was huge after losing the first 10 games in 2009 before defeating (then) No. 8 ranked Lafayette last year for the school’s first baseball victory.

Beagles said as long as his team continues to work each day, “the wheels will begin to turn” and “results will come.”

“Right now our focus is to get better,” he said. “As simple as that sounds there’s an awful lot that comes into that. There is a lot of accountability that goes with it as coaches and players.”

Beagles said a key factor for the Generals would be numbers.

“We’re going to have to remain extremely healthy,” he said. “We’re going to have to have players that understand their roles, embrace those roles and excel at them.”

Heritage is 1-1 for the season. The Generals fell 4-1 to Dalton on Friday, March 5. They will host Northwest Whitfield on Friday, March 10 at 5 p.m. and travel to Gordon Lee the following day. Game time is also set for 5 p.m. in Chickamauga.