Sam Kilpatrick announced Thursday that he's stepping down after 21 years as Ledyard High School's baseball coach.

"It's all about relationships for me," Kilpatrick said in a release. "I have had the opportunity to work with some extraordinary young people and coaches along the way. Many of those boys have gone on to successful lives as young adults. Some are very successful coaches in their own right. I'm very thankful to Bill Mignault, who gave me the opportunity and my baseball mentor, Peter Vincent who has now come back to help with the resurgence in Ledyard baseball. I move on knowing that there are excellent baseball guys ready and willing to move Ledyard baseball in the right direction. I have been privileged to serve the Ledyard community."

Kilpatrick had been a Colonels assistant for four seasons before taking over as head coach. The team finished 14-9 this season and won the Eastern Connecticut Conference Large Division championship.

"Sam has been a model of consistency for our student-athletes for the last 25 years," Ledyard athletic director Jim Buonocore said in a statement. "His passion for Ledyard baseball and our athletic program as a whole is second to none. He leaves the baseball program on solid ground as our participation numbers are at an all-time high, and we will return seven starters from the 2014 squad. The future of Ledyard baseball is very bright, and I thank Coach Kilpatrick for his service and dedication to our student-athletes and school community. We will miss him."