VALDOSTA— As the regular baseball season nears an end and the postseason approaches, the programs at Lowndes High School and Valdosta High School aim to finish strong.

Lowndes High School Vikings

Despite graduating a large and experienced senior class last year and entering the season ready to rebuild, Lowndes has pushed expectations and looks to take the region.

Standout performances from key players have provided the Vikings with the momentum they needed and turned what could have been a tough year into a competitive one. 

One of the many players who has stepped up to the occasion is junior Matthew Kerrigan, who has become the team’s best hitter. Coleman Lewis looks to end his high school career on a high note, batting well over .400. Brinson Roundtree continues to be Lowndes’ man on the mound. The Vikings also have a prominent team leader in catcher Noah Burnham, whom Head Coach Ryan Page describes as “the glue that puts it all together.”

Coach Page expects an uphill post-season with competition such as Etowah, Cherokee, Walton, and North Paulding. These teams stand out as powerhouses that the Vikings are looking to take down, especially Etowah, which Lowndes lost to in their opening game of the season. 

Regardless of the outcome of the post-season, Coach Page is proud of his program and his athletes. With high hopes for next year and a strong returning roster, the Vikings are confident in what they have accomplished and what they will accomplish.

“This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for us, but luckily, we were able to reload in the region and keep that winning streak alive,” stated Coach Page.

Valdosta High School Wildcats

Across town, the Valdosta Wildcats have endured a rockier season, currently sitting at 10-14 overall and 3-9 in the region. While the record does not reflect the effort, Head Coach Bart Shuman believes the program is ready to strike back as the younger players grow and summer ball begins to pick up.

“It’s been tough,” said Coach Shuman. “We’ve got a relatively young team, and we’ve been up against some pretty experienced and veteran teams.”

Coach Shuman praised the senior class at Valdosta for their dedication and hard work. Seniors like Turner Samples and Noah Roberts have emerged as leaders, helping to push the team forward and sharing their valuable experience with the underclassmen. Eight sophomores on the Wildcats’ roster gained significant playtime and knowledge to carry into next season.

“We’ve got three or four juniors that we are really going to lean on next year,” said the coach. “Right now, we want to finish strong here with Lowndes and give them all we’ve got and make it difficult for them if we can.”

As Valdosta’s season ends, Coach Shuman talked about how conversations with the seniors have shifted to the kind of legacy they wish to leave for the year. The seniors and the Wildcats now look to finish the season in a way they can be proud of.

Coach Shuman is also optimistic about the future, praising their school’s support, facility, coaching staff, youth development system, and summer ball opportunities.

As Lowndes gears up for a playoff push and Valdosta looks to close the season with heart and pride, the annual showdown between the rivals adds an entertaining finish to the season.

For the Vikings, it’s about maintaining momentum and making a deep postseason run. For the Wildcats, it’s about ending strong, honoring their seniors, and laying the groundwork for their future.