Congratulations to SoCon champions ETSU Buccaneers

It's been a dream season.The ETSU Buccaneers won the SoCon championship in baseball for the first time Sunday, capping a season of milestones.First, they beat UT, which was ranked No. 1 in the country. They won a regular season championship last week for the first time in 45 years. The team piled up 40 wins for the season, the second time in its history. They are headed to the NCAA tournament; the last time they went was 2013."We've checked a few boxes," ETSU Coach Joe Pennucci said after the win. "The thing that makes it so special is this group of guys is just fun to be around."Yes, they've checked a few boxes.Maybe more. Pennucci's comments are an understatement.The era of good baseball is underway in East Tennessee. Just last year, the University of Tennessee recorded a national championship and is headed back to the NCAA tournament. Now, ETSU joins them.In a land dominated by football, it could be hard to miss what the boys with bats are doing in this state and how it is shining a light on this region. In a world dominated by news from Washington, D.C., it's easy to miss the good news coming from home.This is indeed good news.It's easy to look at a winning sports team and be proud of its accomplishment, but not think of the bigger picture. The bigger picture is that winning teams bring in money.When a team is winning, it fills the stands. A full stadium means people will eat out, rent hotel rooms and shop. Winning college teams attract students who want to be a part of something that will provide entertainment and school spirit.The Bucs are checking those boxes as well.They are bringing attention to Northeast Tennessee when Northeast Tennessee needs more attention than what it received almost seven months ago when Hurricane Helene hit the area, destroying homes and leaving death in its wake.We needed this. All of us. There needs to be a feel-good story that resonates across the mountains and hollers. Northeast Tennessee is more than just a blip in the national media about damage from a hurricane.Let's hope for a long run in the tournament and the continuation of a Cinderella season. Maybe the shoe will stay on a little longer.Thank you, Bucs, for providing us a lifeline for the past few months to think outside national politics and the horrors of what happened here seven months ago.Congratulations to you for being wizards on the diamond and creating magic.