C-S senior joins his father in school and MHSAA record
By Bruce Rolfe
A Climax-Scotts High School senior not only joined his father in the high school baseball record book, but he also enjoys the rare achievement of joining his father in the Michigan High School Athletic Association record book following a very impressive baseball career at C-S.
Senior Gavin Eyre finished his four year high school career with a .458 batting average, which moved the graduating senior into the No. 2 position in the Climax-Scotts High School record books for career batting average. He moves ahead of Kevin Gibson, who had a career batting average of .456. from 1982-1985.
C-S varsity baseball coach Kevin Langs said Tyler Millward is No. 1 in school history with a .491 career batting average.
Eyre’s .458 career batting average ranks No. 77 in the current top 92 in the MHSAA record book.
Gavin’s father, Jesse Eyre, is currently listed in the MHSAA record books in three home run categories and is No. 1 in the C-S High School record book in two categories.
Currently Gavin’s father Jesse is fourth in the MHSAA for home runs in a season (22) set in 1998. He is two home runs behind the leader, Gull Lake’s Zach Fish (24).
Jesse is No. 30 in the MHSAA record book for career home runs (27).
The C-S graduate also holds the C-S school record for home runs in a season and career home runs.
Jesse also shares second place in the MHSAA record book with 71 other players for home runs in a game at three, set in 1998 against White Pigeon.
Reaching both the school record book and MHSAA record book is something Gavin embraces.
“It means a lot to me. It shows me that the work I have been putting in off the field, has been paying off for me on the field,” said Gavin.
Like most athletes who enjoy success on the field, Gavin attributes a lot of his accomplishments to being focused and motivated to improve.
“Training in the off-season, working on the small things, and still working in season on things that are needed,” he said.
Gavin said joining his father in both the C-S school record book and MHSAA record book is very special.
“It means a lot to me to be in the same record book as the man I looked up to my whole life,” said Gavin, who said his father used to joke with him that he would never reach his home run school records and now Gavin has his own school record.
Jesse said the way his son overcame challenges off the field and on the field was very impressive. Gavin’s mother was murdered last October. He suffered an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury that cut his season short on the pitchers mound and in the field, but he was still able to hit, which he did very well.
“I am extremely proud of Gavin in joining myself in both the record books. It means a lot to us. Gavin has worked extremely hard to achieve his goals. Gavin has experienced a very challenging year and has worked through everything to the best of his ability. I believe he deserves all the recognition that he has achieved through his high school career.
We could not be more proud of him,” said Gavin’s father Jesse, who finished the 1998 season at C-S with 22 home runs. 55 RBI, and a .490 bating average.
“It (not being able to pitch or play in the field) showed me that I could still help my team in big games, even if I’m not playing in the field,” said Gavin.
Gavin said his doctor feels the injury will heal on its own and he will not need surgery. He said the plan is to still pitch at Spring Arbor University.
Gavin hit a robust .563 and drove in a team leading 25 RBI. He had a .979 slugging percentage on the strength of nine doubles, four triples and one home run. He also came through in the clutch, batting .600 with runners in scoring position.
He compiled a 3-0 record and 3.50 ERA with 23 strikeouts in just 10 innings pitched before he suffered the elbow injury.
Gavin was selected as the SCAA League MVP for the second straight year and was named to the All District First team as a utility player.
He was All-State honorable mention last year as a pitcher.
C-S graduate Kevin Gibson is 32nd in the MHSAA record book for batting average in a season, set in 1985 with a .583 batting average.
Gibson now sits at 80th in the MHSAA record books for career batting average (.456 average).
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