Written by Byron Beers

Trenton Nichols gives Keys a lot of versatility on the baseball field.

Nichols, now in his senior year with the Cougars, was an important part of Keys’ late-season run in 2022, helping the Cougars reach the Class 3A State Tournament.

“Trenton is an ultimate team player,” Keys head coach Nick Zodrow said. “Anything we ask of him he will do it, and he gives his best effort to get the best results. Trenton can play about anywhere on the field and simply shows up everyday, works hard and leads by example.”

Nichols had a hit and scored a pair of runs for the Cougars in their 16-8 upset win over Bethel in the state quarterfinals last year.

The Cougars got off to a slow start in 2023 and dropped eight consecutive games before defeating Tahlequah-Sequoyah, 2-0, on April 6.

“From a team standpoint we just all gotta start clicking and playing together, and from an individual standpoint I’ve got to step up and be a leader and role model for my team on and off the field,” said Nichols, whose primary goal this year is to help Keys win a state championship.

Nichols spends a lot of his practice time hitting off a tee. It’s his favorite baseball drill. He says his strength is reading the ball in the outfield and he’s worked to improve his production on the mound.

“Hitting off the tee helps me take outside pitches and hit them in the opposite direction,” he said. “I think my strength is my ability to read a ball in the outfield and not being scared to lay out and make a diving catch. I feel like I’ve improved my arm strength and pitching ability a lot over my high school career.”

Nichols has played baseball for 14 years and is an avid follower of Los Angeles Angels’ slugger and three-time MVP Mike Trout.

“He’s a great leader on and off the field and he can swing the bat really well,” Nichols said of Trout.

During his free time, Nichols enjoys playing cornhole and spending time on a golf course.