Hitting a baseball is considered one of the toughest feats in sports. With a ball traveling up to 100 mph and the mound just 60 feet, 6 inches away, a batter has less than a second to decide whether to swing.
For those who can consistently make contact, it's an unmatched feeling.
"There's nothing like connecting on a swing and hitting a baseball," said Columbia senior Ayden Phillips. "This sport is amazing, the brotherhood it creates, and just the chance to compete is why I fell in love with the game."
Phillips, a 6-foot, 215-pound two-way player, has been playing at a high level since he first put on a baseball uniform at age 7. This week, he added to his list of memorable performances, earning him the UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Athlete of the Week.
In a win over Florida High, Phillips went 3-for-3, was a triple shy of the cycle, stole three bases, and drove in two runs.
"I had no idea there was even a chance to win this award," Phillips said. "There are so many great athletes in the area, and I'm just grateful to even be considered. It's a special honor for sure, and one that I'm proud to share with my family and teammates."
Phillips has played alongside his current teammates for several years. The group of upperclassmen on the Tigers gives him hope that they can finish his high school career with a championship.
"I think this could be the best group of seniors to come through Columbia High School," Phillips said. "We grew a lot in our sophomore years and were around some awesome players, and that has helped us understand what it takes to win. There is tremendous leadership on this squad, and we really feed off of each other."
Columbia has never won a state championship in baseball, but Phillips knows it will take the entire team buying in if that goal is to be achieved this season. Until then, he remains focused on giving his best effort every day.
"I want to be the best teammate I can be," he said. "I feel like this is the best opportunity we've had. We have a deep group of arms and an offense that can beat you in different ways. What a way it would be to go out if we can pull it off."
After the season, Phillips will head to Jacksonville University to play baseball at the Division I level. He will join another local prospect, JJ Gardner from Buchholz, on the Dolphins roster, hoping to continue his success as a two-way player in college. But until then, Phillips is focused on bringing everything he's learned over the past 11 years to help his team make a run to the final four.
Each weekly winner of the Athlete of the Week award is eligible for the UF Health High School Athlete of the Year scholarship, a $2,500 prize, which will be awarded at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 academic year.