The Gainesville High School baseball team won the Class 6 State Championship title, defeating Battlefield High School with a final score of 8-6. This victory marks a historic milestone for the Cardinals, as it’s their first-ever Virginia High School League Baseball State Championship. It is also the school’s first state championship since opening in 2021 and Prince William County Public Schools’ first state baseball title since 1995.  
 
Caden Merritt, captain of the Gainesville High Cardinals, reflected, “There's accountability. There's a standard. And our standards were set high. Not once did we feel overmatched. Not once did we feel not in control of the baseball game, and we showed that.” 

“I told the kids, ‘Normal teams aren’t able to give up a 7-0 lead and then score to win the game.’ But normal teams don’t win state championships either— I don’t think there’s anything normal about this group of young men,” said head coach John Miller. 

“I’m incredibly proud of this group of student-athletes. They’ve worked hard as a team to earn the success they’ve had this season. They’ve had a great season and, as the first Gainesville High School state champions, they’ll be remembered in school history,” stated Neil Beech, principal at Gainesville. 

Captain JW Kohlmeyer captured the heart of the team’s journey: "The best thing about this team was the bond we had with each other, and it will be something I will cherish forever. No matter the circumstances, we always pushed toward the goal together, loved each other, and enjoyed every minute. I'm so glad I got to be a part of it.”

Photo Credit: Bill Kamenjar/For InsideNoVa