BASEBALL TAB: Current players can add own legacy to Wayne Country Day

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 10, 2017 10:01 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

Framed photographs of previous Wayne Country Day baseball teams hang in Michael Taylor's office.

One particular picture draws the most attention.

It's the team shot and celebration photo from 2007 when the Chargers won the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 1-A state championship - the lone title in program history.

"Do you still talk to those players, coach?" they ask.

Taylor smiles.

"We either talk on the phone or text," he said.

Then Taylor channels, unknowingly, Robin Williams inside his soul.

His zealous diatribe is a flashback to "Dead Poet's Society," the block-buster movie about an all-boys' school that Williams takes by storm with his unique style of teaching and his relations with the students.

Those previous players to don a WCDS uniform stare back at you in silence.

Travis Davis.

Trent Langston.

Sam Steed.

Kyle Pender.

Kevin Herring.

Ryan Ford.

Kevin Logan.

Ben Strickland.

Spencer Briggs.

Ryan Ford.

Cameron Ford.

Tyson Pearson.

Hil Tanner.

Cody Neal.

Cole Davis.

They -- along with their teammates (too many to mention) lived the phrase "carpe diem." Inspired by their predecessors and carrying the torch as successors, they each seized the day. Every group established a set of standards and left its own legacies that define Charger baseball today.

The 2005 squad claimed the program's first-ever playoff win with Taylor in the dugout. The 2007 group set the single-season record for wins (23). The 2012 team emerged as the state runner-up.

Tradition has bred success for the red and blue.

"That's one thing I tried to instill in 2003 when I first came on board," said Taylor, who has guided 10 of his 14 teams to either the elite eight, final four or state championship.

"I guess you can say there really wasn't a tradition when I came. I wanted to instill a championship-quality team year in and out. Our number one goal every year is the playoffs and that's something I learned from Coach (Charles) Davis at Aycock."

The next set of Chargers is led by four seniors - John Strickland, Mitch Turnage, Zac Barfield and Jon Bryan. The quartet has been part of the varsity scene since their middle school years.

They've shown growth, maturity and leadership on and off the baseball diamond. But those characteristics didn't truly surface until they experienced Taylor's wrath after a scholastic league game.

The foursome just lolly-gagged all evening.

"No leadership. Nothing. We had a 'come to Jesus meeting,'" Taylor said. "I can't say what was said. They knew I was ticked. They knew it was time for them to grow up. (They've) been a tremendous asset to this program.

"The guys look up to them. They feed off of what they do."

Strickland, Turnage, Bryan and Barfield have amped up their respective skills during preseason practices. They've taken extra BP (batting practice in the cage), fielded ground balls and hit off the tee.

Each is a utility player and is expected to play numerous positions in either the infield or outfield this season.

They'll serve as the shining beacons to 10 underclassmen, including eighth-grader Tanner Willman - who may step into a middle-infield role for the Chargers.

"Those guys have been out there every day, working hard, encouraging the younger guys and just putting (together) the foundation," Taylor said. "Those four seniors that I have this year special. They've seen us get to the championship series, and they've seen us struggle when we were young.

"They have set high expectations for themselves this year."

Eventual state champ Oakwood eliminated WCDS from the playoffs a year ago.

Taylor's four seniors are itching to win a state title. The younger players must follow their lead and embrace their responsibilities on a daily basis.

A strong work ethic is paramount.

Carpe diem.