Baseball is back at Thomas Stone
Cougars varsity program returns for 2018
After a one-year hiatus, varsity baseball is back at Thomas Stone High School.
It is a gradual rebooting of a storied baseball program that had been a staple in the state of Maryland and in Charles County since the 1980s, delivering a total of 15 Southern Maryland Athletic Conference championships, 11 regional championships, six state semifinal appearances and three state championships.
Robbie Zayas, a former head coach of St. Charles and 2005 McDonough graduate, is looking forward to his new role as the frontman of the Cougars program.
“If you had asked me if I would have been a head coach of such a historic program, I wouldn’t have even thought of it,” said Zayas, who was hired as Stone’s head coach last May. “When I heard about the opportunity from Chr ystal Benson [former Thomas Stone principal], I jumped at the opportunity. I’m excited about the new role and the kids are working ver y hard.
Zayas noted that he has 14 players total on the roster for the 2018 season.
Last spring, low numbers led to the decision to suspend the varsity program for a season.
The program had seen its numbers dwindle in the last several years, leading to the unfortunate development before fielding a team again this season.
“We have a young team that is very hungry,” Zayas said. “Right now we’re getting back
to the basics and trying to build the players’ fundamentals. “When we scrimmaged St. Mary’s Ryken [last Thursday], people were coming up to me and were excited to see Thomas Stone back on the field. It is nice to hear people’s positive responses, and it says a lot about the impact that this program has had on the community. Brad Criss [Thomas Stone athletic director] has been instrumental in providing us with the equipment and making sure everything is in line for us
in preparing for the season.”
One of the seniors that Zayas convinced to come out for the team is track and field sprinter and football standout, Hezikiah Hawkins.
“I came out for the baseball team to get others who really have a passion for the sport and want to go to the next level, a chance to play by actually fielding a team,” Hawkins said . “I did not want Thomas Stone to go another year without having a team. There are very talented players on the team who
may have a shot to go and play college ball. It’s great that we were able to field a team this year and hopefully make an impact on SMAC. We are ready to get after it this season.”
Zayas said that Hawkins is a exceptional athlete who brings a special work ethic, senior leadership and speed.
“Hezikiah will probably be in the outfield for us because of his athletic ability how much ground he can cover,” Zayas said.
Zayas also stated that freshman
second baseman Colin Headley is way beyond his years and could have a promising season for the Cougars.
“He approaches the little things and want to learn and get better,” Zayas added.
The Cougars finished 2016 with an 8-12 overall record and a fourth-place 6-6 record in the SMAC’s Potomac Division. After a year of not being on the field, Stone will look to compete and look to make strides this season.