COLONY — Trevor Church has been a mainstay on the pitching mound for the Crest High baseball team the past four years.
In his first six starts on the mound, the left-handed senior didn’t allow a run. Overall this season, Church allowed only two runs to score in 42.1 innings pitched.
“I love pitching and the idea of learning a new pitch and perfecting it because it takes a lot of work,” said Church.
Church has signed to play at Fort Scott Community College next year.
The Lancers have compiled a 67-5 overall record since his freshman season and were two-time state qualifiers, two-time regional champions and three-time Three Rivers League champions.
“On the mound, keeping the runs as low as possible I think has been my biggest contribution,” said Church.
The southpaw has used a recipe of speeding up his pace on the mound and only allowing weak contact. He averaged 10 strikeouts per game in his senior season, recording 10 strikeouts or more in seven games. He also allowed only 13 hits and 13 walks all season.
“I want to mess with the hitter’s timing, make sure they don’t hit a ball hard because that makes it tougher on our fielders and on me with runners on base to get outs,” Church said. “If I could keep up the streak of giving up no earned runs every game, that’d be awesome.”
Church also recorded two no-hitters in his senior campaign and 12 total no-hitters throughout his high school career. Through three years on the mound for Crest, Church allowed only 25 runs, 16 of those runs coming in his sophomore season and eight last year.
This season, Crest outscored their opponents by a total score of 115-2. Church went 9-0 this season and 24-1 throughout his entire high school career.
“I try to stay competitive in the game even when we’re winning by six, seven runs and trying to throw my best pitches out there every time,” Church said. “Not giving them any freebies to hit. My biggest thing is staying composed when I give up hits or walks. It’s about throwing strikes, getting back to the zone and not giving them any pitches to hit.”
Church has also excelled at the plate where he has served as the Lancers leadoff hitter. He slashed a .407 batting average in his high school career and knocked 94 hits while driving in 51 runs.
This senior season, Church recorded a .500 batting average.
“As a hitter, I just try to not strike out, put the ball in play and run hard because any weak chopper or blooper can turn into a hit against most teams,” said Church.
“I think my competitiveness will help a lot in college,” said Church. “Coach (Roland Weir) taught me to compete and not be lazy in the field and to work hard every play.”
