As the spring sports season gets underway, there is much to look forward to in the remaining months of the second semester. Track, Soccer, Lacrosse, Baseball, Softball, and Tennis have all begun and are looking forward to completing their season for the first time since 2019. As we anticipate the rest of the season, let’s look back on these teams’ past accomplishments and see what’s in store.

Baseball:

Baseball returns from two very successful seasons that included a State Championship win in 2019 and a playoff run that was cut short last year due to COVID-19. The team looks to defend their title again this year and hopes to do so with their many returning players. The team has ten returning seniors this year, but there are also some very promising juniors such as Tucker Toman, Jack Weston, and Bentley Yeatts who all had a very successful season last year. All in all, it looks like the Hammond baseball team is going to come back stronger than ever and be ready to defend their state title.

Lacrosse:

Lacrosse is coming off successful seasons with a second-place finish at the State Championship in 2019 and their 2020 season that COVID-19 ended prematurely. The Lacrosse team celebrates three returning seniors, Jack Word, Owen Hales, and Daniel Johnson. This season looks to be a time for rebuilding amongst the lacrosse team with many young players stepping up to fill in lost roles. This young Skyhawk team looks to break their losing streak against Porter Gaud this year and claim a state title.

Men’s Soccer:

Soccer has been quite successful the past two years with a state runner-up finish in 2019 and a very successful 2020 that was unfortunately cut short by COVID-19 like most other spring sports. Men’s soccer has 5 returning seniors with familiar faces such as Billy Guthrie, Matthew Walter, and Walker Barrett. There are many talented underclassmen such as Aiden Palisin (Jr.), Alden Ridley (Jr.), and Alexander Garside (So.). This team may be young, but they are already proving to be mighty as they prepare to rock the upcoming season.

Women’s Soccer:

Hammond’s women’s soccer team has entertained two very successful past seasons with a playoff run in 2019 and a 2020 season that was very promising. The girls have fourteen very talented returning seniors and many standout players such as Eme McQueen (Jr.), Heriot Sadler (Sr.), and Briana Pinasco (So.). This team is passionately preparing for their upcoming season and have already held a preseason scrimmage against Blythewood. This large group of talented girls is a recipe for success as they prepare to begin their quest for a state title.

Track and Field:

Hammond’s track team has a history of consistency. The team regularly has members qualify for state and compete very well against talented students from other schools. The team only has 2 returning seniors this year, but it has no shortage of talent. With talented members such as Reece Bluestein (Fr.) and Merritt Brazell (Jr.), the team looks to improve upon past seasons and persevere through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Men’s Tennis:

The Hammond men’s tennis team has had a very rocky journey in recent history, and this year is no different. The boys have no returning seniors this year so the team must rely on their eight juniors for leadership. Although lacking seniors, this team has no lack of talent with players such as David Johns (Jr.), David Shand Estefano (Jr.), and Joseph Shuler (Jr.). These juniors hope to step up and lead this young team to a successful season this year and perhaps even a state title.

Softball:

The Lady Skyhawks have struggled competitively in recent years, but they look to turn that around this year. The problem the team has had in the past was a lack of players, but there has been a large influx this year. The three senior leaders, Carter Montgomery, Mae Williams, and Ann Murphy Lee, all look to lead this young bunch to new heights this season.