When the Knights came down to their last swing in Greeneville, Tennessee, against program Dallas Eastfield in the Junior College World Series emotions were high. 

When your season ends in Tennessee, even if you don’t make it to the finals, even if you finish third, even if you don’t bring home the natty you should feel good about the accomplishment. 

Only eight teams make it to Tennessee. 

As the Fall rolls around a new class of Knights emerge from all over the state, with that being said there are returners who will take on a bigger role this year going into the 2024 season. 

Certain names include leadoff hitter from Lynn Jomar Moreta, a spring transfer who had a batting average of .354 with 20 stolen bases. 

Also returning are middle infielder Chris Bear from Boston and veteran pitcher Jayden Voelker from Rhode Island. 

One reason for the program’s success is how well the players are good at turning boys to men.

One major concern returners had when others moved on to other programs were who would step up and who would play a leadership role. 

Earlier this week I spoke to year three veteran pitcher Jayden Voelker. I asked him how he feels the team can handle all the preassure with the recent 2023 season and if they can do it all again. 

“Yes I do, we have alot of veterans in big parts of field and in our pitching,’’ said Voelker. “The preassure is always good.”

After a fall double header against Division 2 program Saint Anslem the Knights came home with a win in the first game and a tie game with three runs a piece in the second. The Knights still have some fine tuning to be made in terms of chemistry and getting used to each other but time will tell with the new class of Northen Essex Community College Knights.

Editor’s Note: Elijah Thibodeux is a member of the NECC baseball team.