Burns-Stuart Cramer baseball play on after Storm coach's tragic death
Baseball provided a small sense of normalcy for Stuart Cramer baseball following a tragedy which saw an assistant coach die just prior to a playoff matchup at Burns.
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.
TRAGIC: Death of Stuart Cramer baseball coach postpones NCHSAA playoff game DYNASTY? : Stuart Cramer boys golf claims second straight NCHSAA title 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.