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ARM STRENGTH

Iowa Central leaning on solid pitching rotation

- Photo courtesy Paul DeCoursey Iowa Central's Max Steffens is one of three key starters on the mound for the Tritons and head coach Justin Meyer this season.

Iowa Central head baseball coach Justin Meyer prides himself on having a deep and talented pitching rotation.

Meyer, who also serves as the pitching coach for the Tritons, believes he has three very talented arms to lean on this spring as they chase another ICCAC title and spot in the NJCAA Div. II World Series.

Sophomores Max Steffens, Foster Anshutz and Jake Mohler anchor the staff. All three saw action during a recent doubleheader sweep over Southeast, the same team that ended Iowa Central’s (9-11 overall) season a year ago in districts.

Anshutz went six innings in his appearance, striking out six and allowing one earned run. Steffens pitched five innings and recorded six strikeouts, with Mohler throwing two innings in relief and striking out four.

“We are going to lean on our ‘Big 3’ of Anshutz, Steffens and Mohler this year,” Meyer said. “Those guys can match up with anybody and give us a good chance to win. We just need to continue to get the rest of the crew experience.”

Steffens, a former standout at Central DeWitt, went 7-2 last year with 54 strikeouts in just under 72 innings pitched. He was a perfect 7-0 in league action and walked just 10 batters.

Through four starts this year, he is 2-2 and averaging over 10 strikeouts per nine innings. Steffens also has a 4-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

After sharing the weekend starts with Anderson DeLeon last year, Steffens learned first-hand what it takes to succeed at the collegiate level.

“By being the No. 1 starter, I have to set the tone every weekend,” he said. “I expect to go out and perform my best and come out with a win every week.

“Over the summer, I focused on my forearms, core and lower body. At the end of last season, I deal with some forearm soreness and as a result, I took two months off. That was a big priority that Coach Meyer wanted me to improve on.

“Another thing I wanted to work on was my velocity, which is why I focused so heavily on more core and lower body.”

Anshutz was a top starter two years ago before suffering a hip injury that required surgery. In 2016, the former Des Moines Roosevelt pitcher was 2-3 with 48 strikeouts in 47 innings.

“(Being sidelined) was one of the worst things an athlete can experience physically and emotionally,” said Anshutz, who worked with Cressey Sports Performance to recover. “I was fortunate to have great teammates and coaches helping me. I used the time to get ready for this season feeling better than ever with a new drive and passion to be great.”

The redshirt sophomore has done just that, posting a 3-1 record with 28 strikeouts in 22-plus innings. Anshutz has allowed just three earned runs and had a 10-strikeout game vs. Iowa Western earlier this month.

“Competing again makes all the rehab and pain of being sidelined for an entire season worth it,” the southpaw said. “Sitting out, I realized a new level of passion I have for pitching and a new level of competitiveness.

“I am beyond excited to get back out there.”

Mohler recorded 38 strikeouts in 36 innings as a freshman, starting five games in all. He is currently 2-1 with 19 strikeouts and just six walks in 17-plus innings after leading the Cornbelt Summer League in earned run average this past year.

“Summer ball is a great time to work on areas in your game that you feel like you need to develop,” said Mohler, the brother-in-law of ex-Triton pitcher Corey Buckley. “I was able to work on things that I felt I needed to improve on for the season. I gained a lot of confidence in myself through that, so being able to use that confidence will better prepare myself on the mound this season.”

Meyer was a two-year starter for Iowa Central as a pitcher himself, reaching the World Series and finishing fourth both years. He later played for Georgia State University before returning home as an assistant coach under Rick Pederson.

Knowing their coach helped lay part of the foundation they continue to build upon is what makes competing for the Tritons so special.

“The family feeling of this team is what makes Iowa Central a great place to play,” Anshutz said. “The coaching staff, combined with teammates, makes it a truly special team to pitch for. It is the kind of atmosphere that enables you to give all you have out on the rubber, knowing that the people behind you and in the dugout will always have your back.”

The Tritons open conference play this Friday and Saturday with four games at Northeast. They are set to make their home debut Tuesday vs. Southwestern at Ed Barbour Field.

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