Burns-Stuart Cramer baseball play on after Storm coach’s tragic death
LAWNDALE — Ahead of the 2026 season, Stuart Cramer baseball adopted the motto “Stronger Together,” believing a united front is best equipped to answer challenges both large and small.
Such cohesion earned the Storm their first 20-win season in program history, as well as Cramer’s deepest postseason run in the school’s 13-year existence. However, ahead of its NCHSAA 4A West semifinal game at Burns, the team found itself against an adversary which has never dug into a batter’s box or hurled a 90 mph fast ball.
The Storm took the field Saturday, May 16 at The Dog Lot in Lawndale with heavy hearts, 24 hours following the tragic loss of assistant coach Casey McMillen.
McMillen was in the midst of preparing Cramer for its regional semifinal matchup with its Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A rival when he suffered a medical emergency. Medical personnel were called to the scene, but CPR and other attempts to revive McMillen were unsuccessful.
As to be expected, the sudden loss of a treasured assistant coach created a wave of emotions for those within the Cramer dugout.
“After yesterday’s events, we parked in a church parking lot and talked it out,” said Stuart Cramer baseball coach Matt Scholz. “We told the boys the news, gave every boy the chance to talk and relieve memories had with Coach McMillen. We tried to circle the wagons there a little bit and lean on each other, but it’s tough for any team to overcome (such a tragic occurrence).”
Scholz also credited Burns High for its help navigating the situation. According to Burns athletic director and baseball coach Alex Leonhardt, such instances make one realize what’s truly important.
“A lot of people were in shock (Friday evening) and unfortunately with the state playoffs our hands were tied (to play the game),” Leonhardt said. “I mean, I would have been fine if we never played the game. We just wanted to be of service and offer what we could to soften the blow for Stuart Cramer.
“It’s important to show compassion; how many games you win will never be as important as how you treat people, especially in moments like this.”
A moment of silence was acknowledged prior to Saturday’s game in Lawndale, with Cramer players writing tributes on their baseball caps. Burns High also hosted a fundraiser, asking patrons to donate what they can to aid McMillen’s family in their time of need. In addition, a cross was painted behind home plate with a heart in the center featuring Stuart Cramer purple and Burns High blue.
“We will all miss Coach McMillen,” Scholz said. “We pray for his family, his wife, their unborn baby and their two kids. We will keep them up in prayer.”
About the baseball game
After playing two competitive matchups this spring — the teams splitting the games with each scoring a 7-6 victory in their home ballpark — Saturday’s rubber match didn’t follow the same script.
The Bulldogs are headed to their third regional championship series in four seasons, this after an 18-2 victory over Cramer. Burns will host Lincoln Charter in Game 1 of the NCHSAA 4A West championship series Tuesday, May 20.
Burns overwhelmed Cramer with a nine-run first inning, headlined by a pair of Max David home runs. The Bulldogs had seven hits in the frame.
Stuart Cramer cut into the deficit by scoring two runs in the top of the third, senior Chris Wurster hitting a solo home run and Ayden Bradley coming around on a Devin Phillips RBI base hit. Burns responded with nine more runs in the bottom of the frame, easing its way into another regional final berth.
Davis was 3-for-3 with two home runs and six RBIs, in addition to allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts over four innings. Mason Bralley was 2-for-3 with four RBIs and two runs scored , while Yates Toney was 2-for-2 with two RBIs and a run scored.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Burns, Stuart Cramer baseball play on following Casey McMillen’s death
