Jimmy Pierce is leaving the Sale Creek high school baseball program much better than he found it.
In five seasons at the helm Pierce led the Panthers to a 70-49-2 overall record, including back-to-back district championships and their first region championship in a record-setting, 22-win campaign this spring. Before his tenure the program had not won a district championship since 1979.
After Sale Creek’s season ended with an 11-9 loss to Gordonsville in last Friday’s Class A sectional, Pierce announced he will step away from the program to spend more time with his family. Panthers hitting coach Dalton Conley will take over the program.
“When I was first hired I wanted to get more kids to come out and play,” said Pierce, whose teams fashioned a 16-5 district record the past three seasons. “As a coach I always wanted to treat my players right, make the game fun and build a competitive environment. To see how far they have come and the success they have had has been really rewarding.
“Dalton did a great job as our hitting coach this season. Stepping away I feel comfortable because I know I have a guy right here who will do a good job. The kids love him and he loves the boys.”