Windsor and Green Mountain are preparing to face each other on Saturday for the right to be crowned D-III baseball state champions in Vermont. These two programs have established themselves as the top two powerhouses in Division 3 and they’ve had similar ways of getting to this point. Over the last few years, they have been climbing the ladder in the Division, improving their record little by little to earn the top two seeds.
In 2015, Green Mountain was the No. 8 seed (8-7) and lost in the first round, and Windsor was the No. 12 seed (4-11). Although Windsor was able to upset No. 5 Peoples in the first round, they weren’t able to make any noise in the tournament.
That changed for the Yellow Jackets in the 2016 season. As a No. 5 seed, Windsor got hot at the right time and won the D-III title after posting just an 8-8 record in the regular season. As for Green Mountain, they took a minor step back in 2016, going 7-8 and losing in the first round to Oxbow.
Both programs took a major step forward in terms of regular season success in 2017. Green Mountain earned the No. 4 seed (12-4) and lost in the quarterfinals after a first-round win. Windsor earned the No. 2 seed in 2017, but was upset in the first round by No. 15 Richford.
This year, both teams have put things together. Windsor is 14-4 heading into the final game as the No. 1 seed, and Green Mountain is the No. 2 seed and has a record of 16-1.
Many are viewing Windsor as the favorite on Saturday because their group has experience on this exact stage. Yellow Jackets’ head coach, Jamie Richardson, said, “Our experience is definitely an advantage. Playing in front of that crowd at Centennial Field can be overwhelming. Everything is magnified so you have to be mentally tough. Twelve players were there in 2016 and four were starters, so they know what to expect.”
Richardson, on his experienced ball club, went on to say, “A group like this doesn’t come along very often. Not only are they very talented and successful, but best of all, they are all friends and get along great. It’s a veteran club with guys that have played a high level, so it’s not just one guy. I tell them every game, the talent is here, now just go do your job and control what you can control. You do that and be a good teammate, we will be fine.”
Green Mountain head coach, Matt McCarthy, knows what his team is up against, but wants his team to try to seize the moment. He said, “My group is fairly young. They are the epitome of a team. They pick each other up, they all accept their roles on the team and they come to practice every day ready to work hard. On Saturday, I just want our team to play to our full potential. This is a great opportunity that a lot of players don’t get. I want them to understand what all of this means and we’re going to go up Saturday fully prepared to play a good Windsor team.”
Both head coaches have high praise for their opponent on Saturday. Jamie Richardson, on GM, said, “They have good pitching. They make you earn it at the plate and don’t walk many guys. Offensively, they put the ball in play and make defenses work.”
On the other side, Green Mountain coach, Matt McCarthy, said, “Windsor is a very good team. They’re very disciplined and run the bases well. They have two very good pitchers. They’re number one for a reason.”
For these two programs, they are trying to make history in their own way. For Windsor, if they come away with the win, it will be their second in the last three years, and for GM, it will be their first ever state championship.
McCarthy, on what it would mean to bring a state title home to Green Mountain, said, “I don’t believe GM has ever won a state title in baseball. A big win like this would only boost the pride that the community already has for GM athletics.”
“Winning a state title and lifting that trophy feels the best,” said Windsor’s Richardson. “The emotions you feel are beyond words. It would be a great ending to a very successful 2017-18 Windsor sports year. I hope to see a team that plays Windsor baseball with heart and hustle… play like we have been there before. We do that, win or lose, I will be happy.”
First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Centennial Field in Burlington. The game will be streamed live on nfhsnetwork.com and will be heard on the radio at 94.3-FM, ESPN Upper Valley.
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