For Mount Vernon seniors Kayden Packard and Jagger Dohn, baseball has always been more than just a game — it’s been the foundation of a lifelong bond that started when they were kids and will soon be tested at the collegiate level.
Packard, a Walsh University commit, and Dohn, who is headed to Tiffin University, have shared over a decade of memories both on and off the diamond. The two pitchers have trained together, vacationed together, and played side by side nearly their entire lives.
“We’re basically brothers,” Packard said.
“It’s been 11 or 12 years,” added Dohn. “We go on vacations together, train together — on the field, we understand each other really well.”
Some of their favorite memories include a 10U game when Dohn threw a perfect game and Packard sealed it by fielding the final out. Off the field, the stories are just as entertaining.
“We went to Hilton Head Island, and Kayden ate so much food, once he was done, he started eating food that my dad had left on his plate,” Dohn recalled with a laugh.
Next season, the two will wear different jerseys for the first time as they join rival teams in the same conference. Still, the competitive spirit remains friendly.
“It’ll be fun,” Packard said. “We’re both pitchers, so it won’t be much of a direct rivalry.”
“It’ll be weird not playing with him,” Dohn said, “but playing against him will be fun.”
Their friendship has helped mold them into the athletes they are today.
“I push him past his mental barriers — more practice, going out in the cold to train,” Packard said.
“He’s the one who gets on me,” Dohn added. “Going into college and not having him texting me to do stuff will be weird.”
As they prepare for the next level, both have clear goals.
“I want to throw some innings as a freshman,” Packard said. “And I want to beat him. Period.”
Dohn is focused on improving his velocity. “I have everything a pitcher needs, but I want to throw harder.”
Asked what message they’d give each other before squaring off for the first time, Packard said, “Don’t suck. Also, believe in yourself.”
Dohn laughed: “He stole that line from me. I have it written on my glove.”
Joey Dohn, Jagger’s father and a longtime mentor to both players, has had a front-row seat for their journey.
“It was the best thing ever,” he said. “Even though Kayden isn’t my real son, he’s never been treated any differently. They’ve grown so much — they can handle the game so well now. They’ve helped me as much as I’ve helped them.”
Joey coached the boys growing up and said balancing encouragement with tough love came naturally.
“I talk to both of them the same way. They know if I’m harsh, it’s for the best. I’ve never tried to live through their success. Life’s always been about baseball.”
He added that seeing them reach the college level is what it was all about.
“The ultimate goal was to help them get to college to play baseball. They had to realize that was possible. Knowing they’re mentally strong enough to go out and compete — that’s what makes me proud.”
Both players credit their Sports Medicine trainer Dean Taylor for always helping out, and Packard also credits his grandfather, John Packard, for helping train him and being a key figure in his development.
With college fast approaching, the next chapter in the Packard-Dohn story is about to begin — this time, on opposite sides. But the bond they’ve built remains unshakable.
“They’ll always have each other’s backs,” Joey Dohn said. “Even if they’re wearing different colors.”
