HUNTER COOKSTON
Writer
The Whitwell Tigers baseball team has had a remarkable season, winning the Regular Season District Championship, District Tournament Championship, Region Championship, and clinching a spot in the TSSAA Spring Fling. No other baseball team in Whitwell history can say they’ve done that—except for the 2025 Whitwell program.
The results in the State Tournament weren’t what the Tigers had hoped for—it was quite the opposite. However, making it to the tournament for the first time ever comes with a lot of pressure. Even though they left Murfreesboro with two losses, Whitwell was competitive in both games. The loss to McKenzie could have gone their way, and the Tigers were just one hit away from beating Bradford in an elimination game.
The goal was obviously to win it all, but sometimes it just doesn’t go that way. Seniors Garrett Miller and Michael Kilgore showed up in big ways. Senior Jacob McCurry had a strong performance on the mound in game two, but the bats just weren’t going that day. Freshman Colin Beason had a solid showing, as did junior Brayden Riley.
The culture is certainly changing for the Whitwell program—a state appearance is now the expectation. That’s exactly where head coach Chad Billingsley has wanted the program to be since the moment he arrived. After winning a District Championship in his first year as coach, that is no longer the standard. The new standard is making it to the big dance every year, no matter how tough the road may be.
The Tigers will look to replace three seniors, including McCurry, who has been the most reliable arm in the rotation for some time. Fortunately, Whitwell has a group of freshmen who will now have a year of experience under their belts and can use this season’s tough ending as motivation for next year. 6 starters will be returning and will be just as hungry to make another Spring Fling appearance next year.
All of the seniors will be missed, but they’ll forever be remembered as having one of the best—if not the best—four-year stretches in Whitwell baseball history.
