The Centerburg Trojans have big expectations for the 2023 season after placing second in KMAC last year, with a 10-2 record and 20-5 overall, to set the school record in wins, with Trojans baseball coach Josh Moss saying he is impressed with the athleticism of the team coming in.
“We are counting on our returning letter winners and upperclassmen to lead the way and set the tone for our young guys,” said Moss, who is entering his second season as the head coach of the Trojans. “As far as team strengths, I believe we have a very athletic group of kids that just need to refine their skillsets. Top to bottom, we will have good team speed. This group should swing it well."
A top player to look out for this season will be junior infielder Grayson Reynolds, who was First Team All-KMAC and Second Team All-State last season. According to information provided by KMAC, Reynolds batted .494, good for third in KMAC, and led the conference with 38 hits. He was also second in doubles with eight, had one triple and was second with 30 RBIs. Reynolds was fourth in the conference with a .623 slugging percentage, as well.
Caylan LeMaster is another player to watch, as he was one of the top sluggers in KMAC with a .576 slugging percentage, four doubles and a conference-high three triples. He was also in the top 10 in hits with 28 and in RBIs with 24.
“Coming into this season, our players knew we would have several varsity positions opening,” Coach Moss said. “It has been great seeing the boys compete this winter heading into spring to try and earn one of those spots. The internal competition has made us better, the energy and excitement has been fun to be around. Our biggest challenge will be filling the void left by a large graduating class. We return two everyday position players and one starting pitcher from last year’s team. We want to get better and grow every day, whether its practice, scrimmages or games, we want to see growth and be playing our best baseball come May.”
Moss has high expectations, as he sees three to four players in the program with a future to move on to play in college. He is excited to see them in more game action, and also see how other younger players show their skills during a game situation.
Moss played at Northridge High School and after graduating, he played baseball at OSU-Newark, where he also studied youth and adolescent psychology. He has coached as a varsity assistant at Northridge, East Knox and Centerburg. This is his 10th season coaching high school baseball.
“I believe it is our job as a coaching staff to pass on our knowledge of the game to our players,” Moss said. “I want our guys to know that playing baseball not only builds character and confidence, but also a sense of accomplishment. We are a goal-oriented program, I believe that sports and the game of baseball helps prepare our athletes for life. Teaching them to be resilient and overcoming adversity is something we discuss daily.”
While Moss said the past of the Trojan programs is not often discussed, when it is talked about, it is centered around team and individual goal setting. Each year, the goal is to win 20 games and win KMAC and district titles.
Centerburg started the KMAC season against Northmor, March 29, and after putting up four runs in the opening frame, fell 8-4, but optimism and dedication to the season are undeterred, and they expect to be in the hunt to achieve team goals.
