Seniors Say Goodknight to the Robinson Baseball Program

Robinson senior baseball players say their sentimental goodbyes to high school baseball on senior night

TJ Maiello, Staff Writer

April 12, 2026

Robinson Knights Seniors, from left to right: George Scott, Jackson Tebbe, Rhyder Robinson, Collin Rosenberg, Cason Cooper, Santiago Rojas, Andrew Zimmerman, and Gavyn Montera.

On Thursday, April 9, the Robinson senior Knights took home field for the last time in their high school careers. As college looms around the corner, the ceremonial senior night served as a nostalgic reminder that a part of their childhood was rapidly coming to an end.

The game of baseball has had a large part in shaping the players’ lives. It has taught them invaluable qualities of mental toughness, overcoming adversity, and most importantly, what it means to be part of a team.

While it was not the last game of the year, it sure felt like it. Friends exchanged teary-eyed goodbyes. Younger teammates, including myself, came to the bittersweet reality that some of their best friends would soon be departing into the next chapter of their lives. Parents proudly stood beside the boys they had watched become young men on the diamond.

In the moments leading up to 7 o’clock, time slowed. The atmosphere at the Knights Field was one filled with anticipation… and it was for a force greater than the game.

With emotions running high, the senior Knights stepped on the field one last time.

Baseball has been a core aspect in each of the players’ lives, even prior to high school.

Pitcher Gavyn Montera (’26) has been a ballplayer since he was seven years old. In his time on the baseball team, he has enjoyed the tight-knit culture the team thrives upon.

“I love the cohesiveness of the team. Every team has its ups and downs, but we have each other’s backs. That is something special,” he said.

First baseman Jackson Tebbe (’26) has been a part of the Knights for three seasons. Tebbe appreciates the social aspect of the team.

“What I will probably miss most is being with my friends and playing the game I love everyday,” Tebbe said. “My time here is something I will never forget.”

Santiago Rojas (’26) has been one of three current Knights that has been a part of the team since the beginning of his freshman year. Rojas has been a pitcher on the team for the past three seasons. He was even named an All-813 Preps Honorable Mention in 2024. In his high school career, he has been both a vital pitcher and teammate.

“The thing I’ll miss most about high school baseball is being around people I enjoy and helping others improve their game,” Rojas said.

Unfortunately, Robinson was defeated by Riverview by a score of 13-1. Although the Knights fell short of victory, the seniors embraced their final home game, taking in every last moment. After the game, many seniors took one last contemplative gaze at the field they called home before their ultimate departure.

Over the past four years, strangers have become teammates, and teammates have become brothers. At the end of the day, that is more important than any singular game will ever be.

On a personal note, I’d like to congratulate each and every one of our senior Knights.

Andrew Zimmerman, Jackson Tebbe, Santiago Rojas, Gavyn Montera, Collin Rosenberg, Jack Perkins, Carsyn Clack, Cason Cooper, Rhyder Robinson and of course, our team manager, George Scott: On behalf of myself and the baseball team, thank you. Each and every one of you have made this season one to remember.

I will miss crying of laughter with you at the team meals. I will miss our nonsensical conversations throughout the game. I will miss our post-game hangouts at Westshore Pizza. But most of all, I will miss the unique bond of this team.

We wish all of you the best in your ventures beyond high school, seniors, and we know you will represent our Knights well.

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About the Contributor

TJ Maiello, Staff Writer

TJ Maiello is an IB junior at Robinson and a Knight Writer entering his first year on the newspaper staff. Maiello’s favorite school activity is sports in Robinson, participating for two years in both varsity basketball and baseball, which taught him the idea of family by connections, not blood. “The baseball team is like a family, and I appreciate that because they’re a group of people to turn to whenever I’m going through something. It’s always nice have people to rely on like family in a school environment,” Maiello said Besides sports, Maiello’s extracurriculars included Criminal Justice Club and Hispanic Culture Club, both of which he founded, through this his ability to teach and give opportunities to both clubs. “With criminal justice, I try to spread awareness about professional opportunities in the legal system. And then for Hispanic culture, I try to teach people about different cultures within the Hispanic community and create a safe space for people to hang out with their Hispanic friends,” Maiello said. His after-school activities include hanging out with friends and doing a lot of homework. He’s also honing his skills with the electric guitar, working on creating a unique sound like his favorite music artists. “So recently I picked up the electric guitar and have been practicing that a lot, it’s kind of tough with school and sports to balance it out, but I’ve been trying to work on it as much as I can, so hopefully, I can get good at that in the next, like, year or so,” Maiello said. Maiello joined the newspaper, particularly in the hopes of bettering his skills in writing, taking the opportunity as a means of growth and development. “I’ve been pretty passionate about writing for quite a while now, so I kind of want to take the newspaper as an opportunity to better my skills through news.” (Profile by Jordan Lee)