For The Tribune

Chandler Reynolds says he wants to help the Trinity Lutheran baseball team any way he can, whether it’s playing first base, third base, pitching or working as a designated hitter.

He began playing baseball in Seymour when he was 5 or 6 years old and has played all those positions at Trinity, and he helped the Cougars win sectional titles the past two years.

This season Reynolds expects to do a lot of pitching and first base.

“I certainly enjoy being on the field, but at first base I’m making more plays than I am at third,” Reynolds said. “I feel I’m more essential to the team. If there is a runner on first then I’m almost always holding him on to try to reduce the likelihood he is going to steal.

“But with the bunt play, if there is a runner on first the pitcher will normally cover first base lane and then we can just rotate and call the ‘wheel’ play.”

Reynolds said he has been working on his defense and enjoys being on the mound.

“My fastball is my No. 1,” Reynolds said. “I throw a curveball and a knuckleball.”

He said he can throw the knuckleball for strikes.

“There are a lot of ways you can throw it,” Reynolds said. “I try to get under it almost so I can control it.”

Reynolds is confident he can control his curveball and can hit the catcher’s target.

“We’ve been pitching a little bit in the gym, and I’ve been pretty consistent throwing strikes,” Reynolds said. “Throwing a first pitch strike is really important because batting averages go way down after the first pitch is a strike.”

Reynolds has batted either fourth or fifth in the past. He hit one home run at home his freshman year, and one each of the past two years and said, “I plan to hit a few more this year.”

Reynolds said he enjoys the home games and playing at Lanesville.

“We have a lot of fans coming to our games,” he said. “It’s just a good time. It’s a huge advantage to play at home. The wind usually blows out to left so it’s in my favor.

“I really enjoyed (playing at) Lanesville. They have a really nice diamond. Their infield is really smooth. The bus rides are really fun. We have a great time, especially when Andrew Cain is driving.”

Reynolds is confident the Cougars cane have a winning season this spring.

“Our goal is a state championship, but I feel pretty confident about sectionals and regionals,” Reynolds said. “This will be the best chance we’ve had in regionals because Lanesville is now class 2A, and they’re the ones that have beat us out (in the regional).

“(Winning) the sectionals the past two years have been really fun. Last year Jake Moore threw a no-hitter in sectional and that was amazing. We have a lot of young talent so staying healthy is going to be a big part of it. As long as we keep our heads up and don’t get ahead of ourselves we’ll of just fine.”

The senior has enjoyed being a student at Trinity Lutheran.

“Our family has always been dead set on Trinity,” Reynolds said. “We never even considered any other place else. I like the atmosphere here. I just enjoy knowing everyone by first and last name. You don’t have the negative aspects of a public school. Everyone is just really nice here. I’ll probably remember the friends I’ve made the most.”

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Name: Chandler Reynolds

School: Trinity Lutheran

Parents: Eddie and Luann Reynolds

Siblings: Taylor, Bailey

Sports: Baseball, four years; football, one year

Athletis highlights: Baseball sectional champions 2016, 2017

Organizations: Student ambassador, Events Team

Plans after high school: Attend Purdue University

Favorite food: Steak

Favorite TV show: “The Office”

Favorite movie: “Interstellar”

Favorite team: Cincinnati Reds

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