The Greene County baseball team has had a rough start to the 2026 season.
Entering this week, the Tigers are 0-13, but head coach Brad Evans sees a team steadily growing on and off the field.
“It’s one of those things where you feel like you see growth, but it isn’t necessarily a straight line,” Evans said. “You take your wins with the losses. We have to take our wins where we can get them — in practice, in growth when we see it.”
While the scoreboard hasn’t reflected the effort yet, Evans emphasizes that the lessons his team is learning extend far beyond baseball.
“We’re learning more than just the skills of baseball: accountability, what comes with our actions, being at practice, making sure we’re doing stuff that we’re supposed to in the classroom,” he said. “There’s more to being a student-athlete than just the athlete part.”
The team’s youth has posed challenges, with only two seniors on the roster and the rest of the squad made up of juniors, sophomores, and one freshman.
Sophomores make up the core of the team, and Evans is impressed with their perseverance.
“Despite a tough start, there’s definitely some desire to get better and do more,” Evans said. “They’re up here on Sundays, hitting in the cages. Now that we have access to nice facilities, they are putting in the work. They aren’t discouraged by how things are going so far — it motivates them to do more.”
Evans also praised the players’ commitment to being good teammates.
“When you’re going through a stretch like this, you can’t necessarily afford to hate each other,” Evans said. “You’ve got to bond and get along. It’s kind of gonna force you to either bond or break, and we haven’t broken yet.”
Even in the face of adversity, several players have stood out.
JJ Thomas had a standout performance early in the season, striking out 12 batters in a single game, and Lucas Edwards has been a consistent contributor on the mound.
KD Drake, returning from basketball, has impressed at the plate, while Jordan Walton has played multiple positions and led off in the lineup.
“Our guys have been willing to play wherever we put them, whatever is best for the team at the time,” Evans said. “All of them have served their roles and done it to the best of their ability. They are young, but they are getting their reps and learning what it means to be part of a team.”
While Greene County has yet to secure a win this season, Evans sees the progress his team is making as a victory in itself.
“It’s about growth, effort, and accountability,” he said. “The wins will come eventually, but right now, seeing them put in the work and support each other — that’s what matters.”