MANHATTAN, Kan. — Girard senior Aiden Ashbacher was one of five freshmen on the roster during the 2023 season.

Ashbacher stuck it out through a five-win season in 2024 and played a vital role in Girard’s progression from 15 wins last season to 24 this season and the program’s first-ever state championship.

Ashbacher drove in the game’s first run to jumpstart Girard’s 8-0 win Friday night over Silver Lake in the Class 3A championship game at Tointon Family Stadium on the Kansas State campus.

“It’s amazing,” Ashbacher said. “My last year here, we were 24-5 and just having an amazing year winning the state championship for the first time in school history … it’s been phenomenal. The group of guys behind me and around me have been amazing. They’re going to do great things next year again.

“It is hard to believe. At the start of the season, it felt different. We have great chemistry and it just felt like a team that could go win. That’s what we did today.”

Ashbacher left a lasting mark on his coaches and teammates.

“Really proud of Aiden,” Girard baseball coach Bob Fornelli said. “He’s had an incredible year. He’s pitched for us, played left, played second, been our 3-hole hitter all year. Hopefully, he’ll get that opportunity to go play college baseball and finish it off.”

“It’s great,” junior Kam Smith said. “I absolutely love that kid. I’m going to give him the biggest hug once I find him. I kind of got lost in the stadium. It’s been fun and I love that kid. We’ve got a great relationship.”

“It’s really awesome,” junior Robbie Bruning said. “We’ve been playing ball since we were in second grade. It’s a goal we’ve all been working toward since we were all in high school and I’m glad we were able to get it done this year.”

“I love him,” sophomore Bryor Schultz said. “He’s a great leader, a great guy, we love being around him. It sucks not to have him next year, but hopefully we can do it again next year.”

This sports reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/fund/support-local-journalism-project-fund