NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
A school that was heavily damaged by the May flood of 2010 recently won their first state baseball championship in 20 years.
Lighthouse Christian School beat Hendersonville Christian Academy on May 11, after placing as runner up the last few years.
The title means a lot more to the school and players than just a big trophy.
Many of the team's players helped rebuild their own field after the historic destroyed their facilities just over two years ago.
"After coming in runner up the past three [or] four years, it actually feels great to win a state championship," said Lareko Flowers, one of the team's three seniors.
Josh Johnson told Nashville's News 2 he vividly remembers seeing the field after more than 20 feet of water receded.
"The field was just trashed," said Johnson, "The grass was awful, it smelled bad. It was sad, it was just sad."
Senior Tony Woods added, "I was really worried. I didn't think we'd be able to play."
The portable building from Lighthouse Christian School floating down Interstate 24 remains one of the most iconic images of the May 2010 flood.
School officials said the portable landed on the interstate after crossing over their baseball fields.
"We had just spent $10,000 to refurbish the fields, literally in February," said School Headmaster Brian Sweatt, "The May floods and just wiped it all out."
Sweatt said the flood not only completely destroyed their field, but the team lost equipment, uniforms, bats and baseballs.
"We just brought a dumpster out here and started throwing away," Sweatt told Nashville's News 2, "It was unsalvageable."
"I think the main thing for the boys from the flood is it probably pulled them together," said Justin Fields, the team's coach.
As soon as they could, team members came to the field and began clean up.
"Us three were on the field . Every day there was a field day we were there to work on it," said Johnson.
Flowers added, "It made us want to fight harder and dig even deeper to win the championship."
The Tennessee Athletic Association of Christian Schools trophy will be displayed at the school and be a constant reminder of the journey behind the title.
