Baseball: Byram Hills coach Scott Saunders reaches 200-win milestone in final season
SCARSDALE - No matter how hard Byram Hills coach Scott Saunders tried to keep his upcoming milestone a secret from his players, it was virtually impossible.
The man had become synonymous with the Bobcats' baseball program over his 16 seasons at the helm, and while his players have always strived for victory, as Monday's game unwound against Edgemont, they knew it wasn't going to be just another win − it was going to be Saunders' 200th.
Once Byram Hills got the final out to secure its 10-2 road victory on Monday afternoon, his players quickly swarmed him, with some spraying him with water bottles in the celebratory fanfare.
"It's a testament to the coaches that we've had, the players that we currently have and all the guys that have been through the program," said Saunders, at times holding back tears after the milestone win. "I certainly haven't won any games between the lines, all the players did that. We've been blessed with some good guys and coaches around here. It means a lot."
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Signs and speeches were made. Parents and Saunders' family had the cameras ready. A photo collage commemorating various baseball moments over the years linked both the past and the present.
While Saunders may have wanted to keep it a secret, everyone was more than ready to celebrate a coach that had been so influential for their program.
"Big 200, so a little more pep in our step, a little more juice for today," Byram Hills junior Dylan Ettinger said. "We wanted to get that 200 for him. I think what makes Coach Saunders so special is his attention to detail. Every practice, there's a purpose to every sign. He's given a 110% all the time, and with this being his last year, we want it to be a really special time for him."
As the regular season begins to wind down and playoffs draw near, it sometimes becomes difficult for Saunders to not think about the end.
After coaching his 16th season as the varsity baseball head coach, he will be transitioning from coaching to an administrative role and is slated to become the assistant athletic director at Byram Hills next year.
"That'll be what I'll miss the most, the connections and competitions between the other teams and other coaches too," Saunders said. "You try not to think about it and try to enjoy the moment, because you only got a couple games left. ... I'm excited for new challenges and certainly excited to help be an advocate for all of our players and coaches at Byram Hills. It's a hard transition for me, giving up a passion, something that I've been doing for a long time now. The connections that you make with the players and coaches, I'll definitely miss that."
The Bobcats didn't leave much doubt in their win over the Panthers. After a 1-1 stalemate, they broke the game open by scoring nine runs over the third and fourth innings to pull away. They hardly looked back from there, and Edgemont was unable to muster an answer.
"Playing how we did today shows that we definitely have the potential, and we just got to keep battling," Byram Hills sophomore Bryce Baskind said. "We were really upset about how we kind of got beat (in a rain-suspended game against Briarcliff), and we've kind of bounced back and went to war. (Coach Saunders) has done so much for the program and we had to do everything we could to get this for him as a team."
What it means
Saunders' all-time record now sits at 200-130-2. He'll enjoy another career highlight in his final season.
Saunders originally came to Byram Hills as a physical education teacher in 2003 and hasn't been anywhere else since. He's spent the last 16 years as varsity baseball coach, building the program up from below-.500 seasons in his first few years to becoming a contender and title-winners.
They got their break through in 2012, when they reached a section final. Since then, the Bobcats have 10 straight winning seasons and will look to make it 11 this year. They won four league titles under his watch, including this season.
In 2015, the Bobcats went all the way and won a state title.
"He'd be the first to deflect all attention to his former players and coaches, and while everyone in the program over the years deserves some credit, the one constant has been coach," Byram Hills assistant coach Fred Schwam said of Saunders. "He's created a winning culture, winning program, and his leadership, baseball acumen and people skills are why this program is the way it is."
Player of the game
Dylan Ettinger, Byram Hills: He provided a big boost at the plate and on the mound. Ettinger pitched five innings for the win, giving up just two earned runs on five hits, while striking out 12 batters and issuing one walk. He also went 2-for-3 with a triple, game-high four RBI, and three runs scored.
By the numbers
Byram Hills (9-6) – Aside from Ettinger, Connor Boekel went 2-for-4 with his first career home run. James Cavallaro went 1-for-2 with two RBI. Ben Rothenberg went 2-for-4. Mike DiPaolo went 1-for-2 with a RBI. Bryce Baskind had a double and a RBI.
Edgemont (4-11) – Nate Parsons had a double and a RBI. Ben Marx had a hit and a RBI. Ryan Dalal went 2-for-3 and scored a run.
They said it
"Just tried to help out the team," Ettinger said of his all-around day. "We had a talk earlier in the week about putting the team first and making sure its's not a one-man show. When I go on the mound or step in the box, I'm just thinking about what I can do to help out the team."
"My favorite thing is when they come back," Saunders said. "Guys are getting married and they go off on their careers, and I go golfing with them and go out to dinner with them, things like that. Building those connections really have been special. The community, family aspect has been great. Since I got to Byram Hills 20 years ago, they took me in like one of their own."
Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Baseball: Byram Hills longtime coach Scott Saunders earns 200th win
