Leadership Could Be Key For Tri-Center Baseball Returning To State

Leadership Could Be Key For Tri-Center Baseball Returning To State -

(5-16-22) – Versatility and depth. It’s what Tri-Center Coach Max Kozeal feels he still has after losing 7 starters to graduation for last season’s group that fought its way to a 28-3 record and berth in Class 1A State Tournament.

Trojan’s top hitter… gone. Top three starters, who combine to go 20-2 a season ago… gone. Yet Kozeal has experience and leadership in Jaxon Johnson and Briar Cliff recruit Justice Weers.

“With those guys… they’re both just versatile players,” Kozeal told KNOD Sports. “They can do a lot of different things for you offensively and defensively.”

Kozeal says Weers has always been a hard-working athlete, so when he asked him to become a vocal team leader, something he hasn’t always comfortable with, he knew Weers would take to the new role.

“He’s always been a kid who works really, really hard. Kind of leads by example and we met and talked a few times about (how) he needs to kind of change that a little bit. He needs to be more of a vocal leader and he’s really working hard at that and he has done that in this preseason.”

Weers led the Trojans in homers and RBI a season ago and will be vital to the success of this team if it wants to repeat as Western Iowa Conference champs and return to the Class 1A State Tournament.

Tri-Center opens the season against Boyer Valley on Thursday. You can hear that game on KNOD 105.3 FM or streaming at www.knodfm.com.

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