Festus Baseball Coach and Player Receive Awards
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Festus High School baseball coach Jeff Montgomery and senior Hayden Bates are receiving recognition for their 2023 baseball season. The American Baseball Coaches Association named Coach Montgomery the Regional Coach of the Year for 2023. The award recognized nearly 30 coaches from around the country. Montgomery is the only Missouri coach to receive the honor. The Tigers, under Montgomery's leadership have won 27 games in back to back years. The team advanced to the Class 5 State Championship game in 20202 and 2023 and won the first state baseball championship in school history in early June.
Senior Hayden Bates is a finalist for the Rising Star Award in high school baseball. The award is sponsored by the Greater St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame. Hayden is one of five finalists. He and his family will attend a ceremony in April at the Sheraton at Westport. Hayden was named to the first team All-Metro and first team All-State in Class 5 follwoing the 2023 baseball season.