The high school spring sports season is coming to a close as the teams in GHSA and GISA finish their championships over the next two weeks.
Today, we feature a Central Georgia student whose team fell short of the ultimate goal , but individually, he hit top honors as this week's 'Athlete of the Week.'
He's what you call a utility player on the diamond and an ace in the classroom, but whatever his role is, Northside's Andrew Pancake is up for the challenge.
Coach Chris Harrelson says, "He does a lot of things for us. He's one of the guys who never complains, always waits for his opportunity. He's not somebody you hear about all the time. He didnt get all the accolades."
His teammates agree that when Andrew is on the field, he's going to give his all, and deserving of 'Athlete of the Week.'
"He works hard on and off the field. He has the highest GPA on the team. The other night, he came in and threw and did an awesome game. Got us a couple strikeouts, couple groundballs, got us the win and kept us in the game the entire time," says teammate Nick Boutwell.
Andrew sports a GPA higher than a 3.0 as a student, and, as an athlete, he has been fielding grounders since he was a Little Leaguer. Now a four-year letterman for the Eagles baseball program, Andrew is responsible for putting these baseball birds on the map.
"We know we're a football school, and when people think of Northside, they think of football, but we want people to know our baseball guys work hard, too. Hopefully, we're starting a tradition toward good baseball," Coach Harrelson says.
Andrew says motivation doesn't just come from within the dugout.
"Having parents and coaches pushing you, expecting you to do good, and you wanna show them their hard work wasn't in vain," Pancake says.
The blue boys of summer fell short of the elite eight this year, and with the senior class of Pancake and his classmates, the impact will be felt next season, not just because of their play, but more because of their character and positive attitude.
Andrew says, "Working in class, you have to work hard or you won't do good. I just carry that attitude out onto the field."
Harrelson says, "He's an unassuming guy. He goes about his business, doesn't complain, doesn't worry about things he's not getting. He's one of those kids you know is gonna be successful because of his work ethic."
Northside lost their second round series to Redan last Thursday.
They finished 20 -11 on the season.
Andrew Pancake and the other 8 seniors on Northside's team will all graduate at the end of May.