P1FCU Prep Athlete of the Week: Eli Stoner, Troy Trojans Baseball
TROY, ID- The Troy Trojans are now back to back 1A baseball state champions.
Junior Eli stoner said it was an amazing feeling to celebrate with his teammates on the field that he’s worked so hard with. He also played a key role in their 10-0 victory against Clearwater Valley.
“You know I was just trying to calm my nerves, I knew it might be able to be the one," Stoner said.
"I just settled down, waited for my pitch and when I saw it coming, I swung the bat and hoped it would go somewhere and that’s exactly what happened.”
Eli Stoner may have knocked in the game sealing RBI double, but his nerves certainly didn’t show on the mound. He calmly came as a reliever, and got the trojans out of a bases loaded jam.
“I was thinking just get him strikes, I was really trusting my defense, " Stoner said. "A big shoutout to my catcher as well, he was telling me what to do."
It wasn’t just Stoner who delivered, as it was an entire team effort from start to finish.
“They say defense wins championships, and I believe in that, but without your offense your defense doesn't do much," Stoner said.
"I think we did a really good job on the offensive end putting the bat on the ball.”
It’s no secret the trojans have built something special, but even more remarkable is that the team won a second state championship with a different head coach than last season.
“Last year's coach did a really good job of building that mold and team together really well, and our new coach has been especially good at accepting that."
The junior now has two state titles under his belt, but he credits their success to the teams positive attitude all season long.
“Just have a smile while you’re doing it, and just be able to have fun," Stoner said.
"Being a first baseman, in between innings, I always tell him, throw some strikes, remember to have fun while doing it, because that’s the really important part.”
