Elysian Fields Honors Teammate in Opening Game

 admin  |    Mar 11th, 2023

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Elysian Fields honored their former teammate in their first game of the season last Tuesday, March 7, a district opener against Jefferson.

Kip Lewis, a junior centerfielder for the Elysian Fields Yellow Jacket baseball team, passed away in a tragic incident the weekend before the start of the 2023 season. It was decided to temporarily suspend their season to give the team time to mourn the loss of their teammate and friend.

After about a week and a half, the team resumed practice and decided to continue their season in their first district district game and to honor Lewis to start the game.

When the game begin, the Yellow Jackets fielded only 8 players in the field, leaving the centerfield position vacant. In centerfield was a picture of Lewis, his #6 jersey, his hat and his glove. In an emotional moment, junior pitcher Blake Merritt struck out the first Jefferson batter. Elysian Fields then inserted another player in the outfield and continued the game.

The Yellow Jackets went on to win the game 3-2. Merritt struck out 13 with 1 BB and 1 ER in 6.1 innings. David Hutson picked up the save with 2 Ks to end the game. Brandon Kennedy had 2 RBIs in the game.

At THSB, our thoughts and prayers are with the Lewis family and the Elysian Field baseball team.