By Ken Hansard
The Hutchinson Salthawks return a host of talented seniors from last year’s team that finished the season18-10. One of those returners, senior centerfielder Jack Yoder, believes that if the team can just manage to keep things simple, they have a chance to go far in the postseason, “The goal is to focus on the next play. We started out at splitting a doubleheader with Pratt, and we had zero errors, so that’s a really good sign.”
As for his own goals, the two-time Honorable Mention All-AVCTL outfielder believes that he also must take a “next play” approach, “I just need to make sure I stay out of my own head. My goal is to stay positive and make sure I don’t dwell on mistakes. I just need to move on and focus on the next at bat or play.”
Yoder spent a lot of time in the cages during the off-season getting in as many swings as possible. However, in the end, he still feels that an elementary approach is going to be the key to success, “I want to be someone who just gets the job for the betterment of the team. I’m really excited to spend a little more time with the guys. We just have to put a few pieces together to finish out some games and we should be successful.”
Jack credits his love for the game to his father’s influence, “He played in college and introduced it to me at a young age, and he still always finds ways to help me improve.” Yoder was also a four-year starter in soccer for the Salthawks and has garnered Honorable Mention and Second-Team All-AVCTL honors on the pitch.
Yoder should finish high school with a staggering 5.4 weighted G.P.A. and has plans to attend Kansas State University next fall to pursue a degree in architecture.
