The Sheridan Yellowjackets baseball team picked up a 13-1 victory over Monticello in non-conference action on Monday night, sparked by a three-run first inning and a nine-run third inning at Monticello.
The Yellowjackets were led by Payton Sterritt, who drove in five runs on two hits – including a three-run bomb over the left field fence in the third inning – combined with a complete game pitched by Grant Thomas. Thomas allowed six hits and one run in a five inning complete game.
The victory was big for the Yellowjackets for more than one reason, but the biggest reason is it secured head coach Mike Moore’s 700th career victory.
Moore spoke with ArkansasVarsity.com following the game to discuss the accomplishment.
“I’ve just been blessed. The Lord has taken good care of me and put me in a place with a lot of good people,” said Moore. “I’ve had good kids and a lot of great support. I think it’s just something special. There’s not a lot of people that have done that at the high school level, especially just at one school.”
Moore spoke about some of the special moments for him during his career up to this point.
“The state championships – obviously those season’s and those kids – and I’d say probably getting to coach my own son and being able to spend some of that special time with him,” said Moore. “The kids that went off to play in college and even the ones that have been able to play some professional ball. Those things are special to me. Probably, too, the kids that played just for the love of the game, and didn’t go beyond high school. Just the great team players that we’ve had.”
There have been a lot of memorable moments for Moore, but there is one that really stands out to him.
“I think my most memorable moment was when my son hit a home run against Mountain Home,” said Moore. “It was a grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning to beat Mountain Home in state tournament to send us to the semi-finals. It’s just a special moment to share with your son.”
Moore’s son, Landon, is now the head coach at Little Rock Central. He recently hit a milestone in his career as well.
“He got his 100th career win as a head coach just maybe a week ago,” said Moore. “I was kind of glad I didn’t do it the same week he did because I didn’t want to steal his thunder. I’m very proud of him, and very proud of my children. All three have been really good athletes and really good people, and they’re going to be good people to help other people.”
There has been one other significant person that has been right alongside Moore throughout his career, his wife and former Sheridan educator Marla Moore.
“My wife has been right there,” said Moore. “She has been the announcer and score keeper for way more than 700 games. To have a wife that is that supportive of what we do, knowing the life of a coach, and being there for me through all of it.”
The Yellowjackets have had some struggles this year, but Moore is hoping for a strong finish to the regular season.
“About two weeks into the season I told the team that we were this close – about an inch between my thumb and pointing finger – and we are that close to really being good,” said Moore. “We have lost 10 games, and nine of them by one or two runs. I told them just the other day that two weeks into the season we were this close and after our game with Fayetteville I told them we are still this close. We haven’t taken that step to put a complete game together.”
“We took the seniors to breakfast this morning and we talked about some things,” Moore continued. “I really like my seniors. They have done a great job of leading. If we hit like we hit (Monday) we will have a chance to beat anybody. If we had hit like we hit (Monday) we would have only lost one game.”
Moore said he has a goal for his team as they prepare to close out the season.
“Hopefully we are going to put it all together right here at the end and play our very best. That is what I always shoot for,” said Moore. “Usually it doesn’t take 20 games into the season to put it together, but hopefully this is a sign of things to come.”
The Yellowjackets have a busy week with a non-conference game Tuesday night at Crossett, followed by conference games Thursday at Pine Bluff and at home against El Dorado on Friday.
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Justin Manning
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