Exceptional improvement

Garrett Stevens started slumping at the plate halfway through his junior season, going hitless for nearly one month and watching his average dip about 200 points.

He felt nervous during every at-bat.

He was unable to get comfortable.

He wasn't too receptive to suggestions.

Still, that season was a turning point for him.

"My junior year really helped me decide I really wanted to play baseball because I knew I was good enough to play, but I also had the potential to be a better baseball player," Stevens said. "So if I put my time and effort in, it would make me a better baseball player."

Stevens, who also was a quarterback for the football team during his first three years at Central, decided to devote all his time and effort to baseball, and that meant not going go out for the football team this past fall. It was a difficult choice to make.

AARON EISENHAUER ~ aeisenhauer@semissourian.com Central's Garrett Stevens was named SEMO Conference co-player of the year.

He worked all offseason, readjusting his swing and developing as a pitcher because he knew Central would need an ace after it graduated its two best hurlers from last year.

Stevens has shown vast improvement this year and recently was named the SEMO Conference co-player of the year, along with Dexter's Caleb Miller.

Stevens is batting .447 with three home runs and 24 runs batted in. He has collected 34 hits, including 14 doubles, and scored 21 runs.

He has developed into his team's ace, too, posting a 5-4 record and 2.48 ERA, after tossing just seven innings combined over the past two seasons.

AARON EISENHAUER ~ aeisenhauer@semissourian.com In his last high school baseball season, Garrett Stevens made incredible progress.

He is the scheduled starter against rival Jackson on Monday in a 4 p.m. first-round Class 4 District 1 playoff game at Jackson City Park.

Central coach Steve Williams said Stevens' junior year and the summer thereafter was a turning point for him when he decided he wanted to achieve more success in baseball.

"He has obviously progressed as a baseball player as well as a pitcher," Williams said. "And he's had a real good year for us because of that decision he made. It has allowed him probably to focus more of his efforts on what he perceived as his best opportunity."

Jackson coach Rob French added about Stevens: "That's the kid you want out there when everything is on the line."

A turning point

Stevens said even though he continued to slump at the plate throughout last summer while playing American Legion ball, he knew more effort would help him to fix the problem. And it was at the beginning of last summer when he began thinking about his future in baseball and came to the realization that he wanted to play in college.

By early July, Stevens decided not to go out for the football team. He admitted it was a difficult decision for him. He was a talented quarterback. He started at the position for most of his freshman year, then he shared time under center with Blake Slattery over the next two seasons.

"I thought there was a good chance that I had a chance to go somewhere and do something with that," Stevens said about football. "But I kind of got my mind right and figured this [baseball] is the path for me to go. ... I'm happy with the choice I made. I'm not disappointed.

"I've taken a lot of grief for [not playing]. I could count on my hand the times people said good things about me not playing football."

Stevens said people kept asking him why he did not go out for football.

"Everybody has to make a decision eventually," Stevens said. "You don't play two sports in college anymore."

Stevens' decision freed up a great deal of time to practice baseball. And he used the time to do that.

He began working with Talley Haines, a former Central pitcher who played minor league ball. He hit off tees at home, made frequent trips to the batting cages, played in scrimmages and even worked some with Scott City senior Ryan Modglin.

"There were things people were telling me [during the slump] and I was too hard-headed to do them," Stevens said. "But now I've learned when people tell me to do something, I try it."

His batting stance is much different from last year. He now stands taller in the box, and he worked on his balance, developing quicker bat speed with his hands and supplying power with his legs.

Pitching-wise, Stevens worked to increase his velocity and learned to throw a changeup.

Williams said Stevens made the commitment to improve his pitching after pitchers Brad LaBruyere and Tyler Propst graduated.

"I think he had kind of made the decision, too, that, 'Hey, I'm going to have to pitch. I really need to get some experience,'" Williams said. "I think the work he put in during those games and working with instructors here in town and on his own has really paid off for him, not only as a pitcher, but as a player. He has a lot of knowledge from people like that. And from all the work we've put in during the season and open gyms and stuff, he has just developed into a nice high school baseball player."

A strong season

Entering district play this week, Stevens already has stepped up in important situations for the Tigers. Most notably, he led Central to the SEMO Conference tournament baseball title by earning two complete-game victories in three days. He also went 6-for-10 at the plate during the tournament.

"This year, I think, he's had more of a work ethic than just letting talent take over," Central senior Joe Uhls said. "His numbers show for it, this year almost doubling his average. His work ethic this year has really translated over into a lot better play."

Central outfielder Brooks Osburn said of Stevens: "You can count on him to get the job done. You don't have to worry about him making a mistake. He's definitely stepped up and done his job and led the pitching staff."

With his success, Stevens has received interest from some college baseball programs, including Meramec.

He said he envisions himself playing the field more than pitching next year. Still, he thinks he could work as a relief pitcher.

"[Last season], I was really disappointed because I knew I could do it," Stevens said. "And I'm showing that right now to everybody."