CLAY REYNOLDS

   Trinity Christian School is bringing back one of its own to become its new head baseball coach. 
   The Crusaders announced last week that Josh Ward, a 2010 TCS graduate, has been hired to take over the program for Gary Sanders, who is stepping down after seven seasons. 
   Ward is currently a teacher and assistant coach at Mary Persons High School in Forsyth, and also serves as an associate pastor of youth at Jeffersonville Church of God. 
   "We are blessed to have an individual of his caliber and character to coach baseball and work with the young men in our program," said Trinity headmaster Stan Couey. "We anticipate a great sense of excitement and energy for the baseball program as a result of the wealth of baseball knowledge and dynamic leadership he will provide. We believe the Lord has led us to this point. Josh and his wife Anna will make a great addition to the Trinity family." 
   Ward played college baseball for four years at Toccoa Falls, and was a part of teams that won three NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) Division II national titles and two south region championships. 
   He transferred to Trinity when his family moved from Charlotte, N.C. as a junior in high school, and played for two seasons under then-Trinity head coach Chuck Grooms. The infielder was one of the Crusaders' most consistent hitters, and best base runners. 
   "I am humbled and honored for the opportunity," Ward said in a statement. "I was blessed with the opportunity to play at Trinity in high school and I’m thankful that the Lord has led me back here. I love this school and the people in this community and I’m excited to come home to lead young men to Jesus through the game of baseball." 
   At Mary Persons, Ward helped lead teams that advanced to the second round of the GHSA playoffs in each of the last two complete seasons, and won the 2019 region 2-AAAA title. 
   Sanders is expected to remain on staff as a teacher and continue in his role as head softball coach, though it is unclear whether he might return as an assistant baseball coach at some level of the program. 
   This concludes his second stint as Trinity's head coach, which began with a region championship and state runner-up finish after his hire in 2014. Sanders was also Trinity's coach for a handful of seasons in the early 1990s, before a move to John Milledge Academy, where a run of more than 20 seasons included a GISA state title.