COLE LEACH/CHANDLER WOOD-HILLDALE
Seniors Cole Leach and Chandler Wood are two of the reasons the Hilldale Hornets are cruising towards what might be one of their best baseball seasons ever. At this writing, the Hornets are 20-2 on the season with just a handful of games left before the playoffs start.
“These guys have been solid players and teammates for us for four years now and they’re a big part of the reason we made it to the state tournament last year and are having a great season so far this year,” said Hornet coach Nathan Frisby.
VYPE talked to this dynamic duo, who are first cousins, about their athletic careers at Hilldale.
VYPE: Talk about the family aspect of your careers and how that has impacted you.
COLE:” We’re first cousins so we’ve been around each other and played with and sometimes against each other. We’ve learned from the same family members who are all athletic. Chandler’s dad played college ball, and his sister is at TU and my mom played college ball.”
VYPE: Tell us how you got started playing baseball
CHANDLER: “I started around four years old when my parents bought me a jersey because I’d always wanted to play T-ball. I enjoy playing because it’s fun to see where I can throw or hit the ball.”
COLE: “It’s pretty much the same story for me and the competitiveness in our family just drove me to the love the game even more.”
VYPE: You guys are both multi-sport athletes. Tell us what other sports you play and why you prefer baseball.
COLE: ” I like the competitiveness of baseball. It’s kind of a kill-or-be-killed sport when you’re in the box and they guy on the mound is throwing at you. I also play basketball and there you’re more dependent on four other guys.”
CHANDLER: “I also play football, but I think baseball is more of a skill sport whereas football is more about brute force. You have to practice to be good at baseball to be able to go anywhere.”
VYPE: What were your goals coming into this senior season?
COLE:” I’d like to hit at least .500. I did it last year so I should be able to do it again this year and, on the mound, I’d like to win at least 10 games and, of course, go to state again and win it this time.”
CHANDLER: “I want to do better at the plate this year and cut down on strikeouts and get more hits and make state again.”
Cole will play baseball at OU next year and Chandler hopes to also play at the college level as well. And the family tradition will continue next year as twins Clay and Chase Leach will be juniors.
