Lee Trawick
ECB Publishing, Inc.
On Tuesday, Feb. 15, the Aucilla Christian Academy Warriors varsity baseball team traveled to Madison County for their preseason opener against the Lafayette Hornets with heavy hearts. Each member of the coaching staff and players wore the number seven of senior Dakota Hagan during pregame warm-ups and under their game jerseys. Before the national anthem was played, the Warriors' players and coaches requested a moment of silence to honor their fallen teammate, who passed away of natural causes one week ago on Tuesday, Feb. 8.
The Warriors will face an uphill battle this season as they look to continue without Hagan; he was their starting catcher last season. Hagan batted .308 over 74 plate appearances with 16 hits, 13 runs batted in, one double, one triple and one home-run. His impact on and off the field for the Warriors meant more than statistics or a spot in the lineup. Warrior nation wanted to take a moment to honor the legacy of a teammate they will never forget.
To those looking from the outside in, the season will be measured by wins and losses. However, the season is more significant than that to the Warriors; this season will be about honoring Hagan's number seven, what he stood for and what he believed in. Although his name may not appear on their lineup card, Hagan will forever be in the hearts of the Warriors, no matter what field they take to.
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