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SPORTS
Fairland's star seniors
Fairland's Tyler Thackston sprints to first as the Dragons take on Chesapeake during a game April 22 at Fairland High School.
Purchase this photoPROCTORVILLE, Ohio -- It has certainly been a special year for Fairland High School baseball.
Fairland has a 15-1 record and captured the Ohio Valley Conference championship. The Dragons play again Thursday against Crooksville in the Ohio Division III tournament at Ross County Park in Chillicothe.
One key reason for the impressive run is senior leadership. Fairland has 11 seniors on its baseball team and four of them -- Tyler Thackston, Tyler Godby, Nate Burcham and Robbie Easterling -- will be playing in college next year.
Thackston will be traveling east on I-64 to play for the University of Charleston. The left-handed first baseman hits with power from the cleanup spot in the batting order.
"It means a lot to be able to play at the second level," Thackston said. "Off the field I take a lot of batting practice especially if I'm in a slump, I work on the (hitting) tee every day."
Fairland's pitching is one of the main reasons for its success. A big reason the pitchers have been successful is their relationship with Godby, their catcher.
Next spring, Godby will play for the University of Rio Grande. Godby is solid defensively and has a strong throwing arm.
"Playing college baseball means a lot to me, not very many people get an opportunity to do this," Godby said. "I work a lot on my mechanics from blocking to throwing, and working with our pitchers on where we should place pitches."
Burcham will be pitching for Berea College. Cardiovascular fitness is a high priority in Burcham's workout regimen. He normally throws many pitches, making fitness essential to his success.
"To have an opportunity to play college baseball is great," Burcham said. "I run every day, and throw with anyone who will throw with me."
Easterling is headed off to play for veteran coach Cal Bailey's team at West Virginia State University in Institute. The Yellow Jackets are a West Virginia Conference power in NCAA Division II. Bailey has won more than 900 games.
"It wasn't that hard of a decision," Easterling said. " Talking with Coach Bailey everything he says is textbook, he knows exactly what he's talking about, and it's going to be an honor to play for him."
Easterling also focuses on cardiovascular fitness to take his game to the next level. He dropped about 30 pounds before his senior season.
