Like Father, Like Son

Josh Vitek Won State Baseball Title in 1997, and Then Watched His Son Win One Thursday

Before the Fayetteville Lions left for the state baseball tournament, they held a pep rally back home where the full scope of the town’s baseball history was on display.

Seven times before the Lions had been to the state tournament, winning it all in 1997 and 2012.

“There were a lot of dads and uncles and brothers out there who had been to state,” Fayetteville head coach Clint Jaeger said. “That means a lot. These kids know what to expect when they get here.”

Fayetteville first baseman Parker Vitek now has a state gold medal to match the one his dad Josh won as a star pitcher on the 1997 state title team.

Josh Vitek is still in the state baseball tournament record book for most strikeouts in a game, when he fanned 15 in 1999 against Collinsville.

“It’s amazing that my dad won one and I won one,” Parker Vitek said. “I’m speechless. This doesn’t seem real.”

All those former Lion greats in the stands were celebrating just as hard as the players were on the field after Thursday’s victory.

“It was great when we won it in 1997,” said Josh Vitek, who after winning that 1997 state title with the Lions was drafted by the Padres in the third round in 1999. “But having my son win it all, words can’t explain it, I’m so proud of all of these boys. They are like my sons.”

“They’ve put in so much work and I knew if they kept improving they could get here. They have the drive. They always wanted to work. Now the goal is to stay on top. Everybody’s going to be chasing the top dogs so they have to stay hungry.”