Crest’s Trevor Church competed in the 2023 Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches Senior All-Star game at Kansas State University Wednesday.
The hurler finished his final year of high school baseball with a perfect 9-0 record while not allowing an earned run all season.
“It was awesome running on that field from the bullpen with all of the people in the stands watching,” Church said of KSU’s Tointon Family Stadium.
The two teams included 16 pitchers and 38 other position players combined.
The pitchers were given one inning of work on the mound. Position players were dealt two at bats before other All-State players filled in.
Like Church, all of the players have committed to play baseball at either community colleges or four-year schools.
“It was nice to talk to them and see where they’re going,” Church said. “All of them are going somewhere. It was nice to see the 1A pitcher of the year and bounce pitching ideas off each other,” he said of Elkhart’s Kage Ralstin, who has signed with Butler Community College.
Church didn’t allow a run but did give up a couple of hits in his one inning on the mound.
“I wanted to go through an inning without giving up any runs,” said Church. “I knew I was facing some really good hitters. I gave up a couple hits but there are a lot of talented baseball players.”
During Church’s senior year he had 91 strikeouts, no earned runs, and surrendered only 13 hits and 13 walks. He was part of a senior class of Lancers which went an unbelievable 67-5 in their high school career.
“It felt amazing knowing that I would only give up a run or two max when I was pitching,” said Church. “Maybe less than that and then all we had to do was get a couple of guys on and move them over and a hit or two to score and win the game.”
Church and the Iola AA Indians host a home tournament Saturday at 9 a.m.
