Wolves end season with loss at home
Friday’s game was the final one for three seniors and the head coach.
The result was not one a coach would want to end a season on, and certainly not one to end a time with a team. But Rome High baseball coach Michael Dougherty remained proud of his team Friday, down to the final out.
The Wolves took a 9-0 loss to Region 7-5A opponent Carrollton on Friday at Legion Field in the last game of the 2017 season. It was the fourth loss in Rome’s last five games and the final game for Dougherty, who leaves the program after six seasons.
It was also the final game in a Rome uniform for three seniors — Harrison Pyle, Jakolbi Griffin and Max Stamey.
Griffin reached base three times, including a single and a walk, while both he and Pyle got
hits in their final at-bats in the seventh inning. Kade Garrard had two hits.
Dougherty gave a hug to each of his seniors and everyone else on the team after the game. It wasn’t the result they wanted, but they were still proud.
“I love baseball, and I really loved these kids,” Dougherty said. “I just enjoy being around these guys. I like the school itself, and these guys made it fun to come to practice every day.”
Dougherty had nothing but good things to say about the team this season, which finishes in seventh in a challenging Region 7-5A.
The biggest win of the year came Wednesday when the Wolves beat region champion Carrollton 5-4 on the road.
The Trojans (25-5, 14-2 7-5A) scored their first run Friday via small ball in the second and added two runs in the fifth before a fourrun sixth put Rome in a 7-0 hole.
The Wolves (13-17, 6-10) did not waver, however, and were able to get three singles, including the two from Griffin and Pyle, before a double play ended the game. Dougherty could hardly put into words what it was like watching two of his seniors go out with hits.
“This game is about them. It is not about me or the coaching staff, it’s about them,” Dougherty said. “With those two being able to start tonight and knowing they ended their career with a hit, it’s just awesome.”
Dougherty decided not to renew his contract with Rome City Schools two weeks ago, opting to look for other opportunities.