This year's senior Rams are (from left) Kevin Borboa, Tyler Rapp, Chad Nachtweh, Ivan Herrera and Christian Garcia. The late Nate Ford would have been a senior player and is listed on the roster as captain. Photo by William Lange

The Maricopa High School baseball team hopes to honor Nate Ford with their play on the field and their actions off it.

Ford, an MHS football and baseball player, was killed in an August traffic accident. His death served as a rallying cry for the football team, which went 7-3, and the community as a whole.

The MHS baseball team will look to similarly honor Ford as they take the field this season. His mother Jennifer has called baseball his first love. The players hope to keep Ford’s memory alive by showcasing the incredible work ethic he brought to every practice, and to be successful both on and off the field.

“Nate had the most heart and was the hardest-working player I have ever been around,” head coach Andrew Pollak said. “Our players have one responsibility and that is to continue to let people see the qualities Nate displayed on the baseball field and in the community.”

The Rams will look to an experienced group of five seniors to provide leadership and support for a team that features four sophomores and three freshmen.

“Our seniors this season are Ivan Herrera, who was a Division II First Team All-Academic winner last season, Tyler Rapp, who is a four-year varsity starter, Chad Nachtweh, who has improved tremendously and plays a very good first base, Kevin Borboa who covers a lot of ground in centerfield and will see a lot of innings on the mound, and newcomer Christian Garcia, who is a catcher in his first season as a Maricopa Ram,” Pollak said.

The MHS baseball team is honoring former teammate Nate Ford, who would have been a senior this season. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson
The MHS baseball team is honoring former teammate Nate Ford, who would have been a senior this season. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

Maricopa plays in Arizona Interscholastic Association’s Division III, down a division from last year.

The drop in divisions will not translate to an easier schedule for the Rams. Maricopa is scheduled to face seven playoff teams from 2015, including Division III state runner-up Walden Grove High School (Sahuarita) and Division III semi-finalists Fountain Hills High School and Scottsdale Christian Academy.

“The one common theme that we have talked about as a team is how we are playing for a bigger purpose this season,” Pollack said. “Our goal as a team is to make sure every day our actions are making Nate Ford proud.”

The Rams have started the season with a 3-2 record.

This story appeared in the March issue of InMaricopa News.

Schedule
Feb. 24        Pinon-Huffman Invitational/Higley    W 10-7
Feb. 25        Pinon-Huffman Invitational/Dobson    L 4-8
Feb. 26        Pinon-Huffman Invitational/Williams Field    L 2-15
Feb. 27        Pinon-Huffman Invitational/Poston Butte    W 15-11
March 1    Fairfax                    W 3-2
March 3    vs. Seton Catholic (4 p.m.)
March 8    vs. Marco de Niza (4 p.m.)
March 9    @ Youngker (6 p.m.)
March 12-17    @ Bob Everett Invite (TBA)
March 22    @ Walden Grove (3:45 p.m.)
March 23    vs. North (4 p.m.)
March 24    vs. Vista Grande (6 p.m.)
March 29    vs. Estrella Foothills (4 p.m.)
March 31    vs. Sahuarita (4 p.m.)
April 1        @ Mountain View Marana (4 p.m.)
April 5         vs. Poston Butte (4 p.m.)
April 7        @ Fountain Hills (4 p.m.)
April 13        vs. Scottsdale Christian (4 p.m.)
April 15        vs. Casa Grande @ Salt River Field (6 p.m.)
April 20        @ Sierra Linda (3:45 p.m.)
April 22        vs. Tempe (6 p.m.)
April 25        @ McClintock (4 p.m.)
April 27        @ Combs (3:45 p.m.)

Carter Paine pitches during the Matt Huffman Invitational. Photo by Devin Carson
Carter Paine pitches during the Matt Huffman Invitational. Photo by Devin Carson