Salina Central’s baseball team has kicked off this season with a record of 1-3, currently ranking 2nd in the Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail Division II. 

But as the season unfolds, the team faces challenges that go beyond the field. 

“I do not have much free time during the season, which makes it hard to stay on top of my schoolwork,” Junior Bodie Rodriguez said. “I’m really hard on myself; if I do not meet my own expectations, it upsets me but also motivates me to do better,” Rodriguez said. 

Junior Oscar Perez said that he enjoys the positive environment on the team. 

“I genuinely like everyone on the team; each player brings something unique. Like Chance Hogan has a positive energy that brightens any situation,” Perez said.

Perez said that injuries pose significant challenges during the season.

“Last year I broke three fingers,” Perez said. “I just felt left out and I could not control what was happening on the field because I was hurt and that was even more upsetting,” Perez said.

Rodriguez said that he believes that playing together helps everyone grow.

“I think that Oscar Perez is my favorite person on the team because he has always been my catcher and just that alone has developed a deeper relationship with him,” Rodriguez said.

Junior Kory Serocki said that after high school, college baseball is something that he is willing to participate in. 

“I put a lot of physical effort into baseball and I feel like this is just experience to help me build an even better work ethic towards baseball for the future,” Serocki said. 

Rodriguez said that maintaining a positive attitude is key.

“Baseball is a game of failure so you can’t hang your head for too long,” Rodriguez said. 

Their next game is at Eisenhower on April 25 at 4:00 p.m.