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 Heritage High School started a new chapter in its baseball program when it got approval from the Board of Education Thursday night to hire Jason Borcherding as its new head coach.
 Borcherding was an assistant at Wheeler High School for the last eight years, and also is head coach of the 16-and-under team at Team Ga Baseball Academy in Alpharetta.
 The 16-and-under travel ball team has placed all of its players on college baseball teams over the last five years, won the 2006 national championship and competed in the semifinals in 2007.
 "I'm very excited," Borcherding said. "This is kind of what I wanted all my life. From being an assistant coach and coaching travel ball to have an opportunity to take over a program like Heritage that's been successful and has the tradition that it does; it's an honor to take on that opportunity."
 Borcherding prides himself on and is known for developing young players as demonstrated by his record with the Team Ga Baseball Academy squad.
 Landy said that was one of the main reasons to bring in the Wildcats' assistant as only the fourth coach in the Patriots' 34 year history.
 "He's very knowledgeable about baseball," Heritage Athletic Director Chuck Landy said. "Just his enthusiasm is really passionate about baseball. He's had a chance to coach a lot of good kids, and more than anything that's what sticks out. He has a plan for developing players."
 Borcherding steps in for Casey Teal who stepped down from the baseball team last month. Teal led the Patriots to four trips to the AAAA final four, along with a championship series appearance in 2007, and Borcherding will look to carry on that tradition.
 "I want to keep the tradition going, and hopefully win a state championship," Borcherding said. "That's the goal of any head coach, to get that ultimate prize. I'll make sure I continue to build on the success Coach Teal was able to continue after coach Blue."