The Thorntons: brotherhood and baseball

Photo by Josiah Garber

Cole Thornton (above) betters older brother Chad in several statistical categories. He leads the Royals in runs scored, doubles, and home runs. The older Thornton mirrors his brother’s offensive numbers. He is third on the team in doubles and runs batted in, and fourth in batting.

In a time when family values seem to be put on the back-burner for other "more important" things, it is refreshing to find two young men on EMU’s baseball team who put their brotherhood first, while still finding time to burn it up on the diamond.

Chad and Cole Thornton have played baseball since the age of five, from tee-ball on up the ranks to collegiate baseball. They expect a lot of each other, but stress how well they get along with each other and the team as a whole. "Sometimes on teams you have outcasts. This is the first team where I feel everyone really gets along; we all hang out together," said Cole, the younger brother.

Chad is quick to reemphasize his younger brother’s statement and is confident in the team’s ability to do well this season. "We’re a lot better than our record, and I think it will show toward the end of the season. In the beginning of the season, we caught some bad breaks. Now we’re going to try to catch some good breaks and get on a roll."

Since Chad is a senior, Cole, a sophomore, will have to carry on the Thornton tradition, which he has taken on well so far. He helped the Royals to beat the Yellow Jackets of Randolph-Macon Tuesday with a two-run homer. Though here only two years, Chad is grateful for his experience. "I can tell you I’ve definitely met a lot of people; it’s been 100 times better being able to play baseball. It has given me something to fall back on when my schoolwork has me stressed, and I’ve learned a lot," he said.

Cole admits, "I can talk to him about anything. I’ve looked up to him my whole life and we’ve always been really close. We push each other and pick each other up when we’re down." Chad agrees that having a brother on the team can make handling tough situations easier. "The best part is being able to spend time with him and having a good time playing a sport we both love. If he does good hitting, instead of being in the stands, I can share it with him because I’m playing beside him. If one of us gets down, it’s easier for your brother to come talk to you, and if there are criticisms, I’d rather hear it from him than someone else."

Criticisms are few and far between, with the Royals increasing their record Tuesday to 4-4 in the ODAC and 11-14 overall when they beat ODAC competitor Randolph-Macon 6-0. Adding to Cole’s homerun, Aaron Rowe led the Royals at the plate going three for four with two doubles, while Jerry Shank led the Royals in pitching, squashing the Yellow Jackets at the plate and giving up zero runs in seven innings.

Head coach Rob Roeschley is also optimistic about upcoming competition and is focusing on ODAC competitors to ensure a top six placement and a bid in playoffs.

Currently ranked fifth in the ODAC, the Royals are sitting in position to make their goal of making ODAC playoffs a reality.

Regardless of any record, Chad and Cole Thornton are reminders of what brotherhood and baseball are all about. They are brothers and friends before anything else. They encourage each other, each pushing the other to do his best. They are teammates on the field, but when the dust settles and the game is over, they will always be brothers.

The Royals travel to Frostburg, Md., on Thursday to take on Frostburg State in non-league competition. Be sure to cheer on the Thornton brothers and the rest of the Royals baseball team as they take on Emory and Henry on Saturday at 12 p.m. at EMU.