FAIRLEA, WV- After a late season push that led them to a win-or-go-home game in the regionals, the Greenbrier East Spartans unfortunately did go home, but the incredible run left the Spartan faithful proud, making the 2023 spring campaign a success for head coach Cory Mann and his team.
East finished the season 19-18 and had a year of the typical ups and downs, but a tough schedule played a big factor in their record and also in the postseason run.
The Spartans took a 1-0 series lead on St. Albans, but some bad luck the next two games cost East a chance to do anything further.
Senior Darris Boswell led the team in hitting with a .400 average. He was also first with 42 total hits, third with seven doubles and third with 23 runs batted in. His 30 runs scored were also tied for third on the team. He also logged the third most innings on the mound with 51.2. For now, Boswell is still up in the air about a college destination.
Ashton Cochran and Clayton Morgan hit .325 and ,324, respectively, good for second and third on the team. Cochran had two home runs, six doubles, a triple and a team-leading 25 RBIs, while Morgan had 10 doubles, two home runs, two triples and drove in 24 runs. Morgan, a senior, was also the main catcher and performed admirably all year from that position.
Henry Goodwin (.287), Ian Cline .284) and Zion Detko (.265) were also big contributors at the plate. Goodwin scored 24 runs and drove in 14 more and was a reliable glove in the field as well. The Mid Atlantic Christian commit finished a nice career as a Spartan. Cline was big on the bases and led the team with 18 stolen bases. He also pounded out six doubles, two triples, had two homers and 20 RBIs. He finished second on the squad with 30 runs scored. Detko, a sophomore left-handed hitter, at times was the most consistent hitter on the team. He had nine doubles (second on the team) and drove in 18 runs and scored 23 more. He is poised for a big junior year next season.
Gabe Patton, Gavin Bennett and Peyton DeHaven round out the starting hitters and are all underclassmen that will help lead the Spartans again in 2024. Patton (55.2 IP) and Bennett (52.2 IP) spent the most time on the mound as the top two throwers. Patton went 5-2 with an ERA of 2.38, while Bennett’s ERA concluded at 3.32 with a 5-4 record. At the plate, they each drove in 14 runs. Patton scored 20 runs and Bennett came across home plate 18 times.
One of the better defensive outfielders in the area with a diving catch often, DeHaven enjoyed a good junior year. He had 16 RBIs and scored 20 runs and was a threat on the basepaths with 11 stolen bases. If he can get on base more consistently next season, DeHaven could be a real issue for opponents.
East has good, young talent ready to take the next step after getting some valuable experience this season.
Eli Green, Rylee Wilson and Layne Lambert will all be back next season for larger roles. Green actually hit .444 this year, but it was in just 11 plate appearances. All three spent time on the mound with Wilson and Green combing for over 49 innings. Lambert threw most of his season near the latter part of the year and finished the season pitching 11.2 innings.
The loss of the four seniors, including Robert Banton, will sting for the Spartans early on in 2024. However, with the experience they have coming back and the youngsters improving even more, East should field a really good team next season.
