The King Philip Regional High School Baseball Team celebrates its first state championship in program history after a 4-1 win on Friday night. (Photo Courtesy King Philip Regional School District)
WRENTHAM — King Philip Regional High School is celebrating a historic achievement after the baseball team captured the first state championship in program history, defeating Milton High School, 4-1, in the MIAA Division 2 State Championship Game on Friday night at Polar Park in Worcester.
The Warriors completed an outstanding season with the championship victory, earning the program’s first state title and capping off a memorable postseason run.
“Our athletes and coaching staff put in months of hard work and commitment to achieve this result,” said Athletic Director Gary Brown. “Coach Plympton and his staff have built an incredible culture and our players embraced it every day. To see them make history and bring home the first state championship in program history is incredibly rewarding for everyone associated with King Philip Athletics.”
The Warriors, who finished the regular season at 17-8-1, earned a spot in the Championship Game with playoff wins over No. 22 Doherty Memorial (3-0), No. 27 Canton (17-4), No. 3 Reading Memorial (1-0), and No. 7 Longmeadow (5-4).
The team was led throughout the season by captains Brady Herlin, Leo Dowling, and Johnny Prater.
“This is a special moment for our students, our staff, and our community,” said Superintendent Dr. Rich Drolet. “To win the first state championship in program history is an achievement these players and coaches will remember for the rest of their lives. We are so proud of the way they represented King Philip, and we could not be more excited for them, their families, and their coaches. Coach Jeff Plympton is a humble leader who has helped us to continue to move our baseball program toward excellence over the past few years. We appreciate how our entire coaching staff has helped to develop our dedicated, committed, and hard-working student-athletes in order to reach their fullest potential and achieve this goal.”
Under the leadership of Head Coach Jeff Plympton Jr., the Warriors overcame challenges throughout the season and continued to elevate their play during the postseason, ultimately earning the opportunity to compete for a state championship on one of Massachusetts’ biggest baseball stages.
“This group believed in one another from the very beginning,” said Coach Plympton. “Their commitment, work ethic, and selflessness made this championship possible. Watching them achieve something that has never been done before in our program is incredibly rewarding.”
The championship victory was celebrated by students, families, faculty, alumni, and community members who supported the team throughout its season-long journey.
“This is an incredible accomplishment for our student-athletes, coaches, and entire school community,” said Principal Nicole Bottomley. “This team demonstrated resilience, discipline, and determination throughout the season. We are extremely proud of the way they represented King Philip both on and off the field.”
###
King Philip Regional High School Baseball players and coaches celebrate after winning the MIAA Division 2 State Championship Game. (Photo Courtesy King Philip Regional School District)
Head Coach Jeff Plympton Jr., left, with his father, Assistant Coach Jeff Plympton, at the conclusion of the King Philip Regional High School Baseball Team’s MIAA Division 2 State Championship Game victory on Friday night. (Photo Courtesy King Philip Regional School District)
The King Philip Regional High School Baseball Team defeated Reading Memorial High School, 1-0, on June 6 to advance to the Final Four. (Photo Courtesy King Philip Regional School District)
Pitcher Zach Gebhard and Catcher Leo Dowling confer on the mound. (Photo Courtesy Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)
The Warriors finished the regular season with a record of 17-8-1 and had an impressive postseason run, earning a spot in the Championship Game. (Photo Courtesy Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)