CLINTON — This has been a tough year for the Clinton Maroon baseball team.  They struggled on the field, getting to .500 at one time overall and finishing at 9-11.  

They did have a winning  conference record, though.  However, their toughest loss came with the passing of classmate and teammate in a car accident.  This also happened a while back when Wesley Conn lost a very close friend, A.J. Hanlin, in a car accident.  Wes would write A. J. in the dirt of the batters box when hitting, or on the mound when pitching.  This was a fitting memorial by Wes for his friend.  

This season, the team was affected by the loss of Spencer Toohill.  Although he didn’t play on the field, Spencer was an integral part of the team as their statistician and their greatest fan.  He not only inspired the team with his smile and laugh but with his constant encouragement no matter the situation.  

As with Wes Conn, the team needed more of a presence, so each teammate had Spencer’s initials placed on their hats.  And they received added support from others affected by the loss.  

Groundskeeper Jared Patterson, while marking the chalk lines for the home games also chalked the initials S.T. in the home plate circle on the home dugout side.  Spencer’s close friend Harrison Moore also stepped forward to honor his friend in his loss to fill the statistician position for the team.  

According to Assistant Coach Nate Ennis, this team has melded together and become a stronger group and faced its adversity with honor and pride.