Baseball Season Opens with Commanding Victory

The Spartanburg Flames varsity baseball team opened their 2025 season in style with a dominant 12-3 victory over visiting Lions Athletic at home on Saturday afternoon. The performance showcased the depth and talent that Coach James Mitchell has been building over the past several seasons.

Senior pitcher Jake Martinez was outstanding on the mound, throwing seven strong innings and allowing just five hits while striking out nine batters. “Jake set the tone early and kept us in control throughout the game,” Coach Mitchell noted. “His command and composure were exactly what we were looking for in our season opener.”

Offensively, the Flames were led by senior captain Mike Thompson, who went 3-for-4 with two home runs and five RBIs. The performance included a grand slam in the fifth inning that broke the game wide open. Junior shortstop Alex Rodriguez contributed with three hits and two stolen bases.

The victory was particularly satisfying given the team’s strong preseason preparation. “We’ve put in countless hours during the off-season, and it showed today,” Thompson said. “Our hitting was consistent, our pitching was sharp, and our defense was solid.”

Coach Mitchell was pleased with the balanced performance from his squad. “What impressed me most was how different players contributed throughout the lineup. This kind of depth will be crucial as we progress through the season.”

The Flames will continue their season next weekend with a double-header against Thunder Academy. With this strong opening performance, expectations are high for what could be a championship season.