By Shannon Wright

While many students spent their summer relaxing, the Doyline Panthers baseball team was hard at work, laying the foundation for the 2026 season.

“The summer season went as good as it can go with a small school,” said Assistant Coach Jeremy Miller. “We’ve got a lot of young players this year, but they showed up and really put in the work.”

That hard work extended beyond the field. The team also spent time on strength training in the weight room. Coaches hope the extra effort will pay off when the Spring season begins.

The Panthers will have a young and relatively inexperienced roster in the coming year, filling gaps left by graduating players, including the record-breaking pitcher, Noah Spears. The coaches remain optimistic thanks to the strides made by returning players and the determination of the newcomers.

“We are expecting huge jumps from senior James Dodge and junior Dario Galvez,” said Miller. “Dario looked great during his outing this summer and will be a big factor in filling the huge gap left by Noah.”

Though the road ahead won’t be without challenges, the coaching staff believes this summer’s work will set the tone for a competitive season. 

Panther Park may look quiet now, but it won’t stay that way for long. Come opening day, the field will once again echo with the clink of the bat and the cheers of fans dressed in Doyline’s signature blue and gold, rooting for their home team.