Digging Deep to Come Up Victorious: THE VIKINGS’ JOURNEY TO A STATE TITLE

Written by RJ Walters

experience a breakthrough, you first have to grapple with the setback that sets the stage for it. The 2022-23 Lakeland Christian baseball season is that type of quantum leap story that ended with the Vikings hoisting the State Championship trophy for the second time in five seasons. Coming off a promising 22-6 campaign that ended in defeat to eventual state runner-up Berkley Prep in 2022, the Lakeland Christian Vikings baseball team expected to start off in high gear this past season.

But some stiff competition and early letdowns surprisingly put the Vikings in reverse, searching for a much-needed jumpstart. They began the season 2-3—25 if you include preseason contests. Head coach MattE Diaz said he and his coaching staff made some mental errors, and at times, it felt like his squad was giving up when it fell behind early.

The Vikings strung together three straight wins before falling 14-4 to IMG Academy on March 24, and that’s when he decided to shake things up.

“We moved Daniel Hartley out of the leadoff spot, moved Trey Bentley into the leadoff spot and put Daniel Hartley more in a key role in the offense and let him drive in more runs and moved him over to shortstop,” Diaz said. “Finding a place for arguably your best player where he fits best in the team was huge for us. And once all that happened, um, the season really took off.”

The senior Hartley had a prolific season, hitting a teamleading .413, and his ascent was just one piece of the puzzle that quickly came together nicely after the slow start.

The Vikings strung together 11 straight wins after the loss to IMG with a mix of timely key plays from savvy upperclassmen and a lot of crucial contributions from underclassmen like freshman infielder Gavin Byrd (.325 Avg., .415 OBP on the season), sophomore catcher Mitchell Rodriguez (.322 Avg., 20 RBI), and sophomore pitcher Carson Martin, who ended up as the team’s de facto ace.

“Carson Martin is a guy with a professional mentality every time he goes out on the mound,” Diaz said about the secondyear star who went 10-0 on the season with a 1.76 ERA and a strike to walkout ratio of nearly 3:1. “I’m always scared to take the ball out of his hands because he wants the ball…and he usually gets it, too.”

After going nearly four weeks without suffering a loss, some of the Viking’s early season tendencies resurfaced in a 3-2 loss to Winter Haven, but Diaz said he quickly realized that the extra-innings loss was just a minor bump in the road because of how his players responded.

“When we got to work that Monday after the Winter Haven loss, I knew that this team was locked in and ready to go. And they did not lose another game the rest of the year,” he said. “We went from a very talented group of individuals that could win some ball games on talent alone…to guys that were literally pulling for each other.”

In the second round of the playoffs the Vikings found themselves in a 5-0 hole against Santa Fe—the school Diaz helped win a state championship as a player in 1995—but they busted out the bats to post nine runs in the fourth inning, and they only trailed once the rest of the playoffs.

In the state championship game, the Vikings jumped out to a 4-0 lead on St. Johns Country Day in the first inning and never looked back.

“Carson Martin just doesn’t hardly walk anybody ever, so I knew they were gonna have to hit the ball to beat us. And they certainly did, except there was a diving play by Carson Martin in first; there was a bunt play fielded perfectly by Colby Brewington late in the game when they were trying to make something happen; there was a great read by him at third base as well.” Diaz recalled. “Also, our outfield played tremendously throughout, throughout the game.”

Much has been made of Diaz being part of the last three FHSAA baseball titles in Polk County—at Santa Fe as a player, as an assistant coach on the 2019 Lakeland Christian championship team, and now as the head coach. But the retired 11-year major leaguer said this title is a testament to the hard work of the players and his assistant coaches—Mitch Rodriguez, Stacey Pough and Joy Willis— as well as speaks volumes about the high level of baseball that is now the standard in Polk County.

“I truly mean it when I say that my time in the spotlight has come and passed,” he said. “So winning it as a player was probably more exciting, but watching your team celebrate is more rewarding.”

Part of that satisfaction comes from seeing players accept their roles and grow in character throughout the ups and downs.

“I can’t give you a better example than Mack Estrada,” he said. “He was our senior ace heading into the year. Carson took over, but the guy on the bottom of the dog pile was Mack. Just the character of our seniors and the seriousness that they led practice with…it was awesome.”

Emmylou Varnum

Christian Leadership Award Winner

Palm Beach Atlantic University

Daughter of Conrad Varnum and Sherry Varnum

Excerpt from Baccalaurate Address:

The basic prompt that I was given for this speech was this: “What is the role of an LCS graduate in the world? We have been given the opportunity to receive a Christian education, so what are we going to do with it?” … I get that we go through some really hard times. I understand that. And I understand that we all just want to do what we want to do. We want control over our own lives. I want the same things! I know people have many reasons why they don’t follow God, but, after knowing God for as long as I have, and knowing who He is, I can’t help but want to drop every desire and plan that I have for my life to follow Him … That is our role: to show the world who God really is. He is the same God who led the Isrealites through the wilderness in Exodus 13, giving them exactly what they needed each day, no matter how hopeless things seemed. He is the same God who blessed David with a kingdom in 2 Samuel 5 after committing adultery and murder in the same afternoon! And He is also the same God who sent His perfect son, Jesus, to die a horrific death in order to pay for the sins of every one of His children! We HAVE to show people THAT God, OUR God, the TRUE GOD!! … We have to be the ones to share the good news of–not the strict, frightening punisher–but the loving redeemer, full of grace! It is of the utmost importance! At LCS, we have had the incredible opportunity to be taught who God is and what He has done for us! Now, 2023 Lakeland Christian School graduates, it is our turn to show the world!

Kylah Blough

Salutatorian

University of Florida

Daughter of Christopher and Robin Blough

Excerpt from Salutatorian Address:

Senior year has been memorable to say the least. I have never felt closer to my classmates than I have this year. From senior lunches and senior sunrise to our senior trip to Seattle this past week, we have had so many wonderful opportunities to grow together. Even in these events we were taught how to live our lives for God. On our senior trip, we volunteered at a camp to help with things that were easier with a large group of people. I know you all remember the beloved bonfire. Our small actions will eventually help reach people and in turn share the gospel. All of the hard work we have put into school has paid off for tonight. This year has gone by so fast but yet,

I feel it was the most valuable. Looking back, I realize just how valuable the things we have been taught are. I’m not talking about math equations and how to write an essay in one night; I’m talking about how to make the right choices. That’s what life is. Every day you get to wake up and decide how you are going to live. Some decide to live an earthly life, full of sin, others decide to live and dedicate their life for God. I hope everyone in this room decides to live their life according to Him. God created us to be a light unto the world, to share His word and teach others of the glory of God. Matthew 22:14 says ”for many are called, but few are chosen”. Be chosen. Our time at LCS has prepared us to guide others on the right path to a perfect God.

LILY HARRINGTON

Valedictorian University of Florida

Daughter of Michael and Pamela Harrington

Excerpt from Valedictorian Address:

I always make a to-do list and find the most joy in crossing off each task as I complete it. This tendency has always been such an asset for me personally because I get things done and I get them done early. At the same time, however, this skill can also be one of my biggest struggles. I have found myself many times prioritizing my lists instead of relationships with the people around me. Now, looking back on my four years of high school, the biggest lesson I’ve learned has been this: don’t let your to-do lists become more important than making memories.

I am standing up here talking to everyone tonight as the class of 2023 valedictorian. So, of course, everyone can assume that I’m smart. But the reason I think that I am valedictorian is due to the sacrifices I’ve made throughout the past four years to make school my priority at all times. While I am proud of this accomplishment, I’ve learned that it’s okay to trade a night of studying for a night spent with your friends. If I could tell incoming freshman Lily one thing it would be to let loose a little and forget about the to-do lists at times. Because looking back on high school, I don’t want to remember the hours and hours of homework I did, I want to remember the fun times I had with my friends … What I hope to pass on to everybody here today is the importance of relationships with one another and living life in community with one another … My hope for all of us is that as we move on to this next chapter in our lives, we spend more time getting to know people because life is meaningless if we have nobody to share it with. God created humans for relationships, not just with Him but with each other. If we are too preoccupied with our todo lists and endless tasks and chores, we miss out on this beautiful life God has created for each and every one of us. As Christians, we are called to follow God’s plan for our lives and part of this plan is the people who we spend our time with. And as Pastor Bennet has stressed, surround yourself with people who will keep you accountable and help aid you in your personal faith journey. So make an effort to meet new people, reach out to an old friend, say “yes” to the spontaneous plans, and I know this is going to be a crowd favorite, never forget to text your mom.