The Ellsworth High School Bearcats Baseball Team has a title to add to their accomplishments this season — league cochampions with Southeast of Saline.

“It is a very special group of young men,” said Bearcat baseball Coach Jason McWilliams. “We have had obstacles and we overcame most. I can’t say enough good things about them. How hard they play, the way they play. They just do things right. That’s just a very special group. I am proud to be a part of it.”

Coach McWilliams said he couldn’t say enough about the leadership of the team — seniors Javon Rice, Gavin Webber and Dayton Davis.

“They just bought in hook line and sinker of what we are trying to do here and just have led for me,” McWilliams said. “There are not enough good things I can say about them. I am so proud of them.”

On May 9, the Bearcats won a doubleheader against Republic County. In the first game, Ellsworth won by a score of 5-0. In the second, Ellsworth won 10-0.

The Ellsworth boys team record for the season is 17 wins and 3 losses. They have an NCAA League record of 8-2.

“We played together — we played well,” Senior Dayton Davis said. “Even though the bumps in the road, we stayed together and played good ball. When we get down, the whole team picks each other up.”

Moving forward to regionals and state, Coach McWilliams was upbeat.

“Right now it starts with 0 and 0 with us,” he said. “It is a new season. We talk about the season being done, and now this is post season so we are 0 and 0. This is winner takes all. Win, you move on. Lose, you’re done. And we are not ready to be done.”

According to EHS Athletic Director Ron Davis Jr., the Bearcats will be the No. 1 seed in the 3A Russell Regionals. However, the top four teams will play their first game on their home fields. Ellsworth will play Monday, May 16, against a team yet to be announced.

The semi-final and championship games will be played at Russell.