Urbandale’s baseball squad has surged from a modest .249 team average last season to a .299 mark this year, signaling a dramatic shift in performance. The turnaround is not just a statistical blip; it reflects a new mindset among the seniors who have taken ownership of every practice, game, and off‑field commitment.
Senior Leadership and Accountability
At the heart of the revival is a senior class that grew up playing Little League together and once captured back‑to‑back middle‑school state titles. Their shared history fuels a collective drive to restore the program’s winning tradition. To enforce responsibility, the seniors have instituted simple but effective measures: missing a game for a missed lifting session, for example, has become a non‑negotiable consequence.
Head coach Troy Troncin, who brings experience from the 2018 state championship staff, has embraced a player‑led philosophy. He trusts the seniors to set the tone, and their influence is evident in the team’s confidence on the field and the cohesion in the locker room.
Statistical Breakthroughs
Pitcher Tyler Etten anchors the rotation with a 9‑0 record and a 1.63 ERA, the best single‑season performance for the senior. Complementing his dominance, sophomore Gabe Blanshan leads the offense with seven home runs, 33 RBIs, and a .321 batting average. The top nine batters collectively post a .299 average, up from .249 a year ago, while pitchers who have logged at least ten innings maintain a collective ERA of 2.78, with four arms finishing with winning records.
The team’s overall winning percentage sits at .731, the highest since 2018, and their recent series split with perennial power Johnston underscores the progress. These numbers are more than just figures; they represent a cultural shift that has translated into higher confidence and a willingness to compete with elite programs.
Legacy and Future Aspirations
Urbandale’s baseball program boasts four state titles and 15 tournament appearances, a legacy the seniors are eager to extend. Their ultimate goal is a return to the state tournament, a feat that would cement the class’s place in school history. By modeling accountability and resilience, they hope to inspire the underclassmen to carry the tradition forward.
The combination of seasoned leadership, measurable statistical gains, and a renewed team ethos positions Urbandale as a serious contender in the coming weeks. If the momentum continues, the seniors’ vision of a state tournament appearance may soon become a reality.