The 2023 Northern Essex Baseball team returned to Haverhill on Saturday November 25th to receive their Region 21 Championship Rings. 

In a jubilant ceremony that echoed with cheers and applause, the Knights baseball team basked in the glow of their hard-earned success as they were awarded Region 21 championship rings, finishing third in the country marking a historic moment for the team and the entire college community. 

The ceremony, held at the Gymnasium at the Haverhill Campus, was a culmination of months of grit, determination, and outstanding teamwork that propelled the team to victory in the District and Region 21 Championships this season. Coaches, players, families, and supporters gathered to celebrate not just a triumph on the field but a symbol of unity and perseverance that transcended the boundaries of the baseball diamond. 

“I wouldn’t have done all this if it wasn’t for you guys so I want you to hold it,” Said Pitcher of the year Jairo Vasquez. 

The Knights baseball team’s success is particularly noteworthy considering the challenges they faced throughout the season. The players, many of whom are balancing academic commitments alongside their athletic pursuits, demonstrated exceptional resilience and skill, winning the admiration of not only their fellow students but the broader community. 

“I’m happy for them, they worked really hard for this,” said Raynah Thibodeaux parent of Northern Essex Player Elijah Thibodeax. 

The championship rings will undoubtedly serve as enduring symbols of the Knights baseball teams triumph, a legacy that will inspire future generations of athletes within the college. As the players donned their rings with  a sense of collective pride, it marked not just a moment in time but a legacy that will be etched into the history of the Northern Essex baseball program for years to come. 

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