Navy coach Paul Kostacopulos addresses the crowd at Friday’s Freedom Classic luncheon at the Kinston Country Club. Photo by Linda Whittington / Neuse News

EDITOR’S NOTE: Neuse News is the official media sponsor of the 2019 Freedom Classic at Historic Grainger Stadium. Be sure to visit neusenews.com all weekend for all the scores, stories and behind-the-scenes action from the Navy and Air Force teams!

There’s more than meets the eye at the ninth annual Freedom Classic.

Navy and Air Force are set to play three games at Historic Grainger Stadium to thousands of enthusiastic fans and military supporters. Kinston Mayor Don Hardy is witnessing his second Freedom Classic in his position and said this has been an important event for him.

“We have the opportunity to meet members of both Air Force and Navy, showing off Kinston and the great things we have here,” Hardy said. “Most importantly, we have the opportunity to bring Navy and Air Force together — they’re competitors on the field, but they’re together in the Armed Forces.”

Fighting together hasn’t been lost on the coaches and players. At Friday’s annual luncheon held at the Kinston Country Club, Navy coach Paul Kostacopoulous said he appreciates everything about the event, especially the location, competition and future of all the players.

“It’s a very unique thing we get to do here,” Kostacopoulous said. “It’s great seeing all of the people here at the luncheon and showing support. We’re two teams competing against each other and want to win, but we also know these guys will be defending our country down the road.”

Air Force coach Mike Kazlausky shared similar sentiments.

“Kinston feels like a second home to us,” Kazlausky said. “We’ve been here nine years and get to recognize the good people here — we’ve moved past handshakes and gone toward hugs. I tell my wife that I never would’ve thought of Kinston as a vacation spot, but I would love to show her this area where I’ve made some great friends.”

Navy catcher Christian Hodge said he’s appreciative of the Freedom Classic, as the senior team captain enjoys his fourth year traveling to Kinston.

“Every year we come down, everyone is so welcoming,” Hodge said. “Part of it is the southern hospitality, but the people truly support us. We’re excited to compete, but at the end of the day we’re going to be brothers in arms, fighting with one another down the road.”

Hodge, who was primarily a first baseman during his first three years with the Midshipmen, was named as the team captain as well as getting the new position. Hodge said there were nerves early, but the encouragement from his teammates helped immensely in the transition.

“I got the call around the summer from Coach and I was a little shocked that I was going to take on the responsibility,” Hodge said. “I have a great group of guys on the team who help me out and our captain last year, Logan Knowles, really set a blueprint to follow. I had some big shoes to fill, but these guys really make it easy for me.”

Kostacopoulous said he believed in Hodge’s potential.

“He’s done a really good job and as a senior captain, he’s got a mentality to battle behind the plate and for his teammates,” Kostacopoulous said.

Rob Dau fulfills the same role as Hodge for the Falcons — a senior catcher and captain. Dau’s path to the Air Force baseball team was different, coming in as a walk-on but excelling throughout his career.

“I knew I had the ability, but had to work harder and on my weaknesses,” Dau said. “It wasn’t easy, but I wanted to be here and kept going.

“The team captain is voted by the coaches and players. It’s not me to be the guy who wants control of everything, but it’s an honor to be considered to lead the program. We had guys last year like Tucker Jacobs and Tyler Zabojnik who were wonderful leaders, and I’m just trying to follow in their footsteps.”

Kazlausky said Dau epitomized work ethic.

“Rob has resiliency, determination and grit, which are three qualities you want from any baseball player,” Kazlausky said. “He’s been a leader on and off the field, and he had to have a chip on his shoulder considering that he had to walk on, fighting to get on the team. Even if he’s not able to perform on the field, it’s fine because what he does off the field to help the team out is wonderful.”