Phillips had 30 players sign scholarships with an opportunity to play baseball and continue their education in college.

Phillips had 30 players sign scholarships with an opportunity to play baseball and continue their education in college.

by Bruce Wallace

Thirteen years ago, in Tony Phillips’ first season as the Eagles head baseball coach, SoBoCo lost to Westran in the Class 2 district tournament.

The only thing that is the same is that Westran is still playing Class 2 baseball.

SoBoCo, now competing with Class 4 powers like Helias and Bolivar, has seen its baseball program grow right along with its school in the past 13 years.

But there will be a change at the top next year as Phillips filled out his last lineup card last week.

Phillips’ overall record of 160-156 isn’t nearly as impressive as how the program improved in recent years – winning the Tri-County Conference title two of the past four seasons – and being in the top three every season since entering the conference – and closing out his baseball coaching career with a 17-8 varsity record, 14-2-1 JV record and a freshman team with a 16-3 program.

Phillips has built the program with strong youth teams in the 65010 Baseball club.

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