To say that Morris High School junior Trey Daniels wears many hats would be an understatement. Not only does he play football, basketball, baseball, run track and power lifts, but in some of those sports he can play multiple positions. Take track for example.
“I run the sprints and relays but mostly just go where coach tells me he needs me,” said Daniels matter-of-factly.
The same is true in baseball according to his coach Brett Marsain.
“He pitches, catches, plays short stop, third base and the outfield so you could say he’s a pretty versatile player for us,” said Marsain who has coached Daniels since eighth grade. “Right now he’s hitting .489 with an on-base percentage of .582 and 13 RBIs. This year he’s become a lot more consistent at the plate by learning from each at-bat, being more patient and knowing how to work the count in his favor.”
Trey says that baseball was always his childhood thing although now it’s losing its grip a little.
“I think in recent years I’ve come to like football (where he plays quarterback and safety) a little more. I like to hit people on defense and make that one big play or make a tackle for loss.”
And while the gridiron may be more alluring to Daniels, baseball will always have a special place for him.
“I just fell in love with baseball after I started playing T-ball and it was something I could run to when I needed it and it was, and still is, a source of happiness for me. In baseball I can just have fun and be myself and just put a smile on my face and bring my teammates joy.”
Describing himself as small when he was young, his role model was anything but.
“I always liked to watch David Ortiz of the Red Sox-“Big Papi”. I just liked the way he would swing the bat and hit homeruns.”
The season started slowly for Daniels and the Eagles, but he feels that some encouragement from him and other team leaders have started having an effect.
“Early on we were losing games we shouldn’t have and so we talked to the guys about not dwelling on errors but instead having a mindset of wanting the ball hit to you to have another chance. And I think that philosophy has helped us win four in a row.”
