Titletown Trojans: New Kent wins Class 3A State Baseball championship for second time in three years

New Kent High School's baseball team won the Class 3A State Championship with an 8-3 victory over the Turner Ashby Knights.

Robb Johnson photos

In a private conversation earlier in the year with the Chronicle, New Kent Head Baseball Coach Trevor Ronan claimed that this year’s version of the Trojans would be the most talented team he has ever had.

He wasn’t wrong, and June 13 solidified that statement.

New Kent defeated the Turner Ashby Knights 8-3 to capture the Class 3A State Baseball Championship on June 13 at Abingdon High School.

In the top of the first inning, New Kent pitcher Lane Boyette got out of early trouble after he set up an inning ending double play backed by his defense. In the bottom of the first, Andrew Staskiel’s double and subsequent steal placed him on third base. A sacrifice fly by Austin Uzzle provided the Trojans a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the second inning, the Knights tied the game as a sacrifice fly by Caden Simmers drove home a run to tie the game. But it was the bottom of the frame that saw the explosive offense of the Trojans come to life.

Brody Cash singled to reach base and was brought in by Jaxon Foreman’s base hit. Jakub Bowen got on base with a double, with Uzzle following with a hit that drove Foreman and Bowen in to provide New Kent a 4-1 lead. Moments later, Dylan Bowman connected with a pitch and drove the ball clearly over the outfield wall as the two-run shot increased the Trojans’ advantage to five (6-1).

New Kent’s offense continued to roll in the bottom of the fifth inning. Foreman’s double drove in two more runs for the Trojans to take firm control with an 8-1 lead.

Turner Ashby tried to respond with a two-run homer in the top of the sixth inning by Grady Bowman, but New Kent settled down, notching the final six outs in the contests to capture their second state title in three years

After the contest, Ronan remained humble, reflecting praise to his coaching staff and the effort of the players.

“I want to give credit first to my assistant coaches John Corbin and Mark Stuffel,” he said. “I just want everyone to know I have the best assistant coaches in the state.

“My emotions all over the place,” the head coach continued. “The kids did everything along with these coaches. Remember what I told you at the beginning of the season? Now you can see why I was so high on them.”

New Kent completes their title run with a 25-2 record, winning their last 12 contests. New Kent’s well won’t run completely dry as Boyette, Staskiel, and Jonah Sorrell are the only ones to graduate from this year’s squad. Coupled with a JV baseball team that completed the season undefeated at 19-0, the future of Trojans’ baseball looks to be thriving for years to come.

New Kent’s Jaxon Foreman is at full extension as he snags a throw for an out at first base.