Twenty seasons. Hundreds of players. Countless memories.
On Monday afternoon at Flora, Brian Lipe added another milestone to an already accomplished career as his Salem High School Wildcats rolled to a 14-0 victory in the opening round of the Class 2A regional playoffs. The win marked career victory number 300 for Lipe as Salem’s head baseball coach.
While the milestone is significant, Lipe said his thoughts immediately drifted toward the players who helped build the program over the past two decades.
“Lots of good memories,” Lipe reflected after the game. “You start to think of all the kids that have had an impact on our program. From Derek Holmes winning game No. 1 against Breese Central to Brody Collier winning game No. 300 against Flora.”
For Lipe, the accomplishment is less about the number itself and more about the relationships and moments created throughout the journey.
Among the memories that stand out most, several postseason moments quickly came to mind.
“I’d have to start with McGee driving in Tristan Holmes in the bottom of the seventh of the 2014 regional championship,” Lipe said. “Taking the ball from Brendan Boles in a rout of Marion in the 2017 regional championship. Watching Riley Martin warm up for the Cubs in Cleveland. Then the back-to-back regional titles the last two years.”
The success of the program has also been built on continuity and loyalty. Assistant coaches Mike and Jeff Malone have been by Lipe’s side since the beginning, something he recognizes as increasingly rare in today’s coaching landscape.
“Yeah! He and Jeff all these years!!” Lipe said of the longtime partnership.
When Lipe first took over the Salem program two decades ago, he knew the community was a place he loved, though he admits he never could have imagined where the journey would lead.
“I knew I loved Salem,” Lipe said. “I’m not sure what I thought about how long I would be here. It’s really amazing how many kids come across your mind when you get down to it. So many good relationships along the way.”
Now, with 300 wins secured and another postseason run underway, the Wildcats turn their attention to the next challenge as they continue chasing more memories.
