Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) held their annual Alumni baseball game at the West Campus in New Port Richey. This yearly event brings past players back to their home field for the opportunity to step on the clay one more time.
“The main thing is to get the Alumni back on campus,” PHSC Athletic Director Stephen Winterling said. “There’s nothing like going back-reliving the good times they had… it’s just a good reunion.”
For the first time in 40 years, Stephen Winterling will not be holding the title of head baseball coach. Twenty-seven of those years he held that title at PHSC.
Stepping into the head coach position is Lyndon Coleman, who has been Winterlings’ assistant for the past three seasons. He has learned the traditions Winterling established within the program.
“Everything in general that he did with this program; the consistency of winning every single year, the professionalism, and respect that he has within the state, there’s a lot of great things that he did within the state and for this area baseball-wise,” Coleman said.
All aside this annual event is to bring past players together and to keep that family baseball relationship recurring every year on the field.
“We are going to continue to grow this alumni game,” Coleman said. “The goal is to get enough guys out here to play against each other.”
“You don’t lose that family,” Winterling said. “When they come, it’s like old times- that’s what you want. I want them to be excited to come back and enjoy this time.”
The Bobcats have an upcoming scrimmage game on January 22nd at Eckerd College and their official season begins January 25 against Tallahassee Community College. With fourteen returning players on their roster and Coleman stepping in as the head coach, there is positive momentum to start the 2019 season. PHSC will play on their home field February 2 against Next Level Baseball Academy at 1 pm.