CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. — The goal has never changed for Mike Dunfee and Gordon Lee, though this baseball season brings a different level of challenge.
The veteran coach, who led the Trojans to consecutive GHSA Class A public championships in 2018 and 2019 and a runner-up finish in 2021, has always preached patience, preferring to peak at playoff time instead of aiming for marquee early wins.
However, with a move up two classes to AAA this year, and with a talented, veteran team, Dunfee wanted to push his players as much as possible in the pre-region slate this season. So far the news is positive, including Thursday’s 5-2 win over visiting Silverdale Baptist Academy.
Gordon Lee (7-4) used a solid outing from senior pitcher Blake Rodgers and seven hits, four runs and four RBIs from his top three hitters — all seniors — to secure the win in the team’s final tuneup before Region 6-AAA play begins.
“We have a lot of young guys playing and some guys who played a lot last year,” Dunfee said. “Anytime you have those veterans, the beginning of the year isn’t going to get you down too much. This older group isn’t going to panic. Get into your system and get hot, that’s what we’ve always preached.