BROCKTON — Like in the movie "Shane," where the heroic gunslinger (Alan Ladd) rides off into the sunset slumped over his horse and presumably dead, yet never to be forgotten, the Georgetown baseball team finally succumbed, but in a blaze of glory never to be forgotten.
Abington rallied from a 6-0 deficit to clip the Royals, 8-6, in the Eastern Mass. Division 3 championship game.
Yet, when the sting finally wears off, the Royals can look back with pride and rightfully state this year's team was the best in the history of the program.
There is really no debate.
The highlights are many.
For the first time in 29 years, the Royals won a league title (CAL Division 2 co-champs). The Royals beat fellow co-champ North Reading in the North sectionals. They also defeated Newburyport in their final two meetings to claim titles in each game — first the Spofford Tournament crown and then the program's first ever sectional title.
"No question this will hurt for a couple of days, but hopefully the kids will always be able to look on this season as something really special," said head coach Mark Rowe. "It's always disappointing when you lose, but to look at where we've gotten and how we've gotten here, playing as a true team all year, it is definitely rewarding and historic for Georgetown High School."
The seniors — Anthony Conte, Josh Ingram, Joe Esposito, Mike Ruh, Larry Coleman and Joe Slattery — stepped in to fill the void created by the loss of the incomparable Tim Holland (114 career hits, 10-2 record last spring) and Andrew Barba.
"I'm happy for my seniors that this didn't end in the regular season or that this didn't end after a game or two in the state tournament," Rowe said. "Getting to Lowell last weekend and playing in that game and winning that game, that was really our goal. This was all gravy.
Conte praised his teammates for a magical season and congratulated Abington on the victory.
"I don't have words to say for this year — this year has been one of a kind," Conte said. "These guys, you look around at these sad faces, but these guys are awesome. They put in a lot of hard work this year and it shows in our accomplishments with the banners and everything. Definitely historically and accomplishment-wise, it was the best team in Georgetown history, and I'm so proud I can say I was a part of that."
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