After six seasons with UNCW Baseball, three as a player and three as a coach, and being fortunate enough to be part of two CAA Tournament Championships, two NCAA Regional appearances (once as a player and once as a coach), and two CAA Regular Season Championships as a player, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life: to step away from college baseball and see what God has planned for me next. I’ve been involved in college baseball/athletics for nearly 10 years now, and the game has changed a lot. It has started moving in a direction that I found myself becoming less passionate about, at least as of right now. As many of you know, or may not know, being a part of UNCW Baseball was a dream of mine since I was a little kid. Growing up with a dad who played at UNCW and spending so much time around Brooks Field, I always hoped one day I’d get to wear that uniform and be apart of Seahawk Baseball. I was blessed to live out that dream for a little over six years as both a player and a coach. It meant more to me and my family than I can put into words, which is why choosing to leave on my own terms was so difficult. At the same time, I truly felt the Lord leading me to step out in faith and try something new. As much as I wanted to talk myself out of it, I knew I needed to trust His plan for my life, even when I couldn’t see what was ahead. I’ll miss being a part of the daily action within the UNCW Baseball program, but I’m excited to become an active and passionate alumnus who supports the Seahawks from the stands at Brooks Field and finds ways to continue giving back to the program. To Coach Hood, the assistant coaches who coached me and later became my coworkers, the current players, the former players I had the opportunity to coach, and all of my teammates, thank you. I love you all, and I’ll always love UNCW Baseball. Thank you for every moment, every lesson, and every memory. -Taber Mongero