Trent Gerber, Nazareth baseball, Sr.
On the diamond: Nazareth is one of only three high school baseball teams in the state who are still undefeated, and Gerber is a huge reason why, as exhibited in last week’s Class 1A region semifinal series against Kress. Gerber pitched the first game in the best-of-three series and was in total command, throwing his second no-hitter if the season and striking out 14 in a 3-0 victory. In the second game, the Swifts completed the sweep with a 10-0 victory and this time Gerber was dominant at the plate, driving in four runs to help Nazareth advance to the region final. Gerber has posted a remarkable 130 strikeouts in 60.2 innings with a 0.27 ERA, while hitting .418. The Swifts will try to make their second straight trip to the state semifinals when they take on one of the state’s other two undefeated teams, Ira, in a best-of-three series starting Friday at Lubbock Cooper.
Coach Tyler Goodwin: “He’s been our dude all year, no doubt. When something’s needed done, we know No. 2 is going to take care of it. His numbers and record speak for themselves. Coming off of a state run last year, the little bit I got to see of him and the rest of the dudes, I knew we were going to be pretty good. The type of kid he is, is he’s not about himself. He’s going to be 100 percent about give credit to Nazareth over give credit to Trent Gerber. I think that’s what really sets him apart as an individual is that he is so team-oriented. He cares more about the team’s total success than his own. As a leader that’s a good quality obviously to have when you get 16 or 17 guys to buy into that. What he does individually obviously stands out but what he does as a team leader is possibly more important.”
Gerber: “Coming into the series we’d already played Kress twice before and they’re one of those teams that never backs down. We knew they had a stud pitcher. Our defense was what did it, and the curveball. That threw them off. We felt like if we could get past that (first) game we’d have the second game in our hands and that’s exactly what happened for us. I didn’t too well that first game and I knew I had to come out and hit better. I had an opportunity, so I took my shot and started off the game hot. That’s one of the better ones. I know how to step up more from last year after losing two pitchers out of our rotation and know how to be more of a leader after losing six seniors. I want to lead my team to state this year and that would be awesome.”
About Gerber
Favorite band or musician: Morgan Wallen
Favorite social media platform: Instagram
Favorite athlete: Bryce Harper
Bet you didn’t know: Favorite color is yellow
Parents: Norman and Stacy Gerber