COLONY — Crest High senior Trevor Church signed his national letter of intent Monday to play baseball for Fort Scott Community College.
Church primarily mans the mound but also has experience at centerfield and first base. He’s one of the main reasons the Lancers have been so successful the past few years and reached the state championships the last two years.
The senior finished the season with a team-best 0.74 ERA. Church also started nine games on the hill, collecting eight wins and five shutouts.
Church was also a force at the plate last season where he recorded 30 hits and 19 RBIs while hitting to the tune of a .395 batting average in 76 at-bats.
The Colony native has pitched in a number of big games in his high school career including a 4-1 win over Olpe last season in which Church tossed 6.1 innings, allowing only one run, five hits, three walks and struck out 10 batters. The victory gave the Lancers momentum heading into the playoffs.
“Being able to pitch in those big games and giving us the best chance we can to win was exciting,” Church said. “I’m always trying my best to work through tough situations.”
Church believes it’s his ability to stay calm and level-headed on the mound that helps him play his best game.
“I work on my mindset on the mound and my confidence in spotting pitches, knowing where I’m going to put it,” said Church. “It definitely helps not getting worked up too much with runners on base or even at the plate hitting. I’m not trying to do too much.”
The two-way ballplayer knows that Fort Scott has taken a chance on him which means he must work to be the best player he can be.
“I think they’re getting someone who will compete on the mound and put their best in every at bat,” he said. “My goal is to work throughout the offseason and continue to improve every year. I’m hoping I can find a way into the rotation or in relief to get as many innings as I can.”
“I’m pretty excited because I like their program and coach (John) Hill’s been hyping us all up,” said Church. “They’ve got a lot of kids going there this year that are supposed to be really good so I think we’ll be good. Coach Hill is big on academics which helps, too. I like how they’re always working on the program to get better every year.”
For this upcoming spring season, Church hopes he can leave everything he’s got on the field to help Crest hoist a state championship trophy.
“We’ve gotten close the past two years, so that’s what we’re all working for and looking to do.”
