Whitehall’s Zackary Schaedel likes to be in the center of things. Fortunately for the Zephyrs this season, he is.

The senior infielder, pitcher and team captain has been among the team’s most consistent hitters this season. Through the team’ first 19 games, Schaedel was hitting .379 with 15 RBIs, 22 hits, and 11 runs scored.

He also is comfortable in his current role.

“I see myself as a leader and a motivator for the younger guys on the team,” said Schaedel. “I want the team to feed off my energy and I feed off theirs, that’s what makes our team successful.”

Schaedel also has been pleased with the team’s season as well as his own.

“I see our season as being a success thus far,” he added. “I’ve personally been working on my approach at the plate for all counts. I’ve also been working on playing loose and having fun, I found that I have more success this way than being uptight worrying about plays and hits.”

Schaedel has developed a love for the game, and he has watched his confidence level soar.

“I first started playing baseball when I was four, almost five, in 2012,” said Schaedel. “I played T-ball for Fullerton and have been playing baseball somewhere ever since. I chose to play baseball because it was the only sport I really had love for, I watched it a lot when I was younger and fell in love with the game.

“I’ve always felt comfortable playing the sport of baseball, I pretty much grew up with it in my family. But comfort is a little different from confident, I think my confidence definitely grew my freshman year when I was double-rostered on varsity. That is when I realized working hard was paying off and others believed in my ability.”

Schaedel credits his parents for their continual support and guidance.

“My biggest influence in my entire baseball career has been my parents,” said Schaedel. “My parents have always pushed me to be the best player I could be by always practicing with me when we had the chance to. They have always made sure I had a way to get to practices and games no matter what was going on and that’s why I’m thankful to have had them throughout my baseball career. I feel I wouldn’t be the player I would be today if it weren’t for my parents.”

Head coach Eric Schmitt has appreciated all of Schaedel’s moments.

“Zack is red hot,” beamed Schmitt. “He has been hitting over .500 last two weeks. He has been an effective four-year varsity player, and a three-year starter. He has been a strong team captain and emotional leader of the team. Schaedel also was one of the players who shined brightest in our biggest games last season.”