(Neola, IA) — Tri Center’s baseball team has won at least 17 games the last four seasons but has been disappointed in the substate playoffs the last three seasons. The Trojans will expect to be contenders this year with only losing three seniors from last year’s 19-5 squad. Head Coach Max Kozeal does lose two key pitchers Lincoln Thomas and Carter Kunze but the ace Cael Witt is back after going 9-2 with a 2.37 ERA plus 67 strikeouts in 59 innings
Behind Witt, Senior Trenton Huebner and Senior Brody Weidner are ready to take on more innings; Senior Braden Meyer threw JV last season and will move up; Sophomore Baker McCarty had a 1.47 ERA mostly in relief; Juniors Aidan Godapp and Kai Sonderland will also step into more varsity roles.
One guy who Tri Center will rely on pitching and in the field is Junior AJ Harder who did not pitch much last year because of an injury — it affected his hitting at the start of the season as well finishing with a .246 average. Kozeal says he is healthy and ready for a full go
Senior Catcher Tristin Gunderson is a mainstay in the line up, hitting .333, 2 HR and 24 RBI last year. Witt hit .425 — the Trojans hit .306 as a club so offense should not be a problem.
The problem is Underwood — Tri Center came close to knocking off the Eagles last season in 2 out of their 3 games. Kozeal says they had their chances last year and wants another crack at them or whoever
Tri Center opens their season this Thursday hosting Boyer Valley
Complete Interview with Head Coach Max Kozeal
