Senior pitcher Mitch Maurer helped Lakeville South’s baseball team on an improbable run to the Class 3A, Section 1 championship.

The Cougars (7-18) won five games en route to the section title. They only won twice during the regular season.

Here is a closer look at Maurer:

 

Q: The best movie I’ve seen in the past year?

A: “Wolf of Wall Street.”

 

Q: Three words my friends or teammates might use to describe me?

A: Competitive, humble and confident.

 

Q: Three songs I never skip on my iPod are …

A: ... “Superman” by Eminem; “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd; “Started from the Bottom” by Machine Gun Kelly.

 

Q: What are your three favorite apps?

A: My music player, Twitter, and any games I’m into on my phone.

 

Q: Who do you like to follow the most on Twitter, and why?

A: MN Baseball hub so I can keep up with current scores of games.

 

Q: How did you get started playing baseball?

A: My dad and uncles all played baseball at a high level, so it was introduced to me at a young age from them and it has been a passion ever since.

 

Q: At my first varsity practice, I felt …

A: … undersized and intimidated by the older bigger guys, but they quickly welcomed me into the team.

 

Q: To get focused for a game, I …

A: …think about what I have to do in order to beat my opponent, and envision which steps I need to take in order to be successful.

 

Q: What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete?

A: Winning the Section 1 championship.

 

Q: What was it like walking off the field as the Section 1 champion, especially after having such a difficult time during the regular season?

A: It was surreal. I have never strived for something so much, and it was a moment that I will remember and cherish the rest of my life. I have watched the last pitch I threw of that game [an 8-5 victory over Rochester Mayo] over and over just to feel a bit of that emotion again. Easily one of the best moments of my life at this point.

 

Q: Describe what you guys went through during the regular season?

A: We had a very tough regular season with only two wins. We couldn’t seem to get that necessary hit or make the big play we needed to secure a win. The struggles through the regular season prepared us for sections and it has greatly paid off.

 

Q: Was there a turning point in your season, and if so, what was it?

A: Winning our last conference game against a solid Burnsville team.

 

Q: How did you balance school and sports during the year?

A: I took some of my harder classes during the off season. Time management is also important.

 

Q: If you could change one thing about high school sports, what would it be?

A: I would like to have a longer baseball season.

 

Q: In 10 years, I hope I’m …

A: … somehow still involved in the game of baseball and doing something in life that I love.

 

Q: Do you have a secret talent – and if so, what is it?

A: Writing poetry.

 

Q: What is the best sports advice you ever received?

A: Play with no regrets.

RON HAGGSTROM