Since 2020, no Decatur High School baseball team has ever started 6-0 — a mark that this year’s Gators achieved after completing the sweep of White River with a 10-0 mercy rule win in six innings on March 25.

“The results are why we do what we do. But for us, results are in the classroom and respecting everything we have in the building. These guys are finally getting it, which is beautiful to see,” said Manager Chris Fox.

In 2021, the Gators started 5-0, but that hot start was nullified by a 5-0 loss against Tahoma on the road.

Back to this year, it’s a relatively senior heavy group. A group that has experience and chemistry that differs from last year’s district tournament team. They have a special bond.

“We have a lot more chemistry from last year, better leaders this year too. It goes a long way when you have leaders who actually want to show up and play,” sophomore Tyler Buol said.

Gator Skipper Chris Fox is now in his fifth season since taking over from John Sugg, and this might be the first time that, from top to bottom, his group is buying in to a single philosophy.

“It’s leadership from my seniors. It’s buy-in to a program and they are all beginning to understand what it means to be a program. To work hard, weights in the morning, offseason training and all of these things we have implemented. They are finally buying in because of our senior leadership,” Fox said.

Tyler Buol took the mound against White River and put on his best performance in a Gator uniform. The right hander tossed a complete game shutout on just 67 pitches. In his six innings of work, he was in attack mode from pitch one — he allowed just one hit and struck out nine.

“He throws people off. You saw how off balance they were. I told him afterwards that ‘this is the best I have seen you pitch.’ He’s just the kind of guy that you see warming up in the bullpen that you think you’re just gonna spank him. The minute you see him you just can’t hit him,” Fox said.

What was most impressive was his first pitch strike percentage of 75% (15/20). Buol doesn’t have top-end velocity, but his ability to be a pinpoint pitcher allows him to have effective outings like the one against White River.

“My mentality is to know I am the best player on the field because I can control the game. I just trust my defense and rely on what I can do to help my defense,” Buol said.

Against White River, there were 10 balls put in play, and Decatur made all 10 plays without recording an error. The chemistry and talent on the field help Buol pitch more aggressively because of the trust with his defenders.

It took one time through the lineup, but the Gator offense got going in the third inning with a leadoff walk from Eric Havili. This kick-started a seven-run inning for the Gators, who tallied five hits (2B Spencer Holloway, 3B Landon Le) and three walks, which brought 10 batters to the plate.

The Decatur offense has been rolling all season, averaging just under five runs a game. But top to bottom in Fox’s eyes, this was the best his lineup has played all season.

“I think this offense can take us a long way. When the season first started, we were solely going to be offensively minded. But it’s our pitching that has gotten us to where we are now. Our offense is starting to grow and our first five hitters are legit,” Fox said.

Eight of the nine batters who registered an at-bat reached base in the win.

The final runs of the game came via the long ball. Havili reached on an error, Holloway walked and Ethan Flavel smacked his first homer of the season to get to the ten-run rule.

The Gators take on Thomas Jefferson on the road March 28 to kick off a two-game series against the Raiders.

Ethan Flavel claps his hands after a three-run home run. Ben Ray / The Mirror

Decatur shortstop Spencer Holloway doubles against White River. Ben Ray / The Mirror