Former Louisa Standout Turned NCAA Rookie
Baseball season is officially here. Amongst all of the hype for the start of the MLB season, college teams have already started their fight for the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. Although the college baseball season officially ended almost eight months ago, teams and coaches have not stopped working to find the best new talent to take their team to the end. Bringing in a new group of freshman and losing seniors can be a difficult thing to manage; the returning players and coaches adjust to the new roster they have. One player that isn’t having a hard time adjusting to the new atmosphere is Louisa County graduate, Tristan Snyder.
Snyder is starting his freshman season at the College of William and Mary and has already earned some high recognition. In his college debut, Snyder pitched 4.2 innings, allowing just three hits and no runs earning the win for the Tribe. “I will remember that day for the rest of my life,” said Snyder. But Snyder still noticed some differences between small town Louisa and Colonial Williamsburg, as many freshman would. “The players are bigger, faster, and have more developed skills than most high school players.” But this change hasn’t stopped Snyder from stepping on the mound when his team needs him and giving everything he has. In his 8.2 innings of pitching, Snyder only allowed six runs, three walks, and six strikeouts. “The largest difference I’ve noticed [between Louisa and William and Mary] is that everything is just much more competitive.”
During his time at Louisa County, Snyder was one of the most humble players in the organization. When asked about his pitching, he always replied with a comment about how strong his defense was behind him and he couldn’t have won the game without them. Snyder has carried that mindset into the next level of his baseball career. “The guys on the team are like brothers,” said Snyder. “It’s good to know that you’ve got thirty four other guys that have your back in any situation.” Although the team is now a band of brothers, some of Snyder’s teammates were competition in high school. Hunter Hart, first baseman and freshman for the Tribe, played against Snyder at Patrick Henry last season. “I enjoyed competing against Hunter Hart from Patrick Henry during the fall and preseason,” said Snyder. “Now that the spring season has begun, we all just support each other and try to encourage each other in all aspects of the game.”
Later in the season, Snyder and the Tribe are set to play James Madison University where former Louisa teammate Lliam Grubbs is continuing his education and baseball career. “I’m excited,” said Snyder. “ It will be nice to see Lliam and get a chance to compete against him. I look forward to seeing how we progress throughout the season and hopefully we can get matched up against each other at some point during the series.”
After his impressive career debut, Snyder was awarded the CAA Rookie of the Week Award. “Honestly, I didn’t expect the recognition because I didn’t even know that award was a thing at the time it was presented to me,” said Snyder. “On the flip side, I think it is important to go outing to outing and not let past outings affect how I like to focus on each outing.” “The ultimate goal of the team this year is to develop and get better as the season progresses and also compete at the highest level possible,” said Snyder. Of course, Snyder has already set some personal goals for himself throughout the season. “ My goal for my freshman season is to stay healthy and compete in every aspect possible throughout the entire season in whatever way contributes the most to the team.” Even though Snyder has moved on to a higher level of baseball, he continues to put passion and effort into everything he does while also continuing to stay humble and a team player. “The most important thing to remember is that everyone is good,” said Snyder. “It just takes rising to the level of competition that is presented to you every day.”
Snyder is starting his freshman season at the College of William and Mary and has already earned some high recognition. In his college debut, Snyder pitched 4.2 innings, allowing just three hits and no runs earning the win for the Tribe. “I will remember that day for the rest of my life,” said Snyder. But Snyder still noticed some differences between small town Louisa and Colonial Williamsburg, as many freshman would. “The players are bigger, faster, and have more developed skills than most high school players.” But this change hasn’t stopped Snyder from stepping on the mound when his team needs him and giving everything he has. In his 8.2 innings of pitching, Snyder only allowed six runs, three walks, and six strikeouts. “The largest difference I’ve noticed [between Louisa and William and Mary] is that everything is just much more competitive.”
During his time at Louisa County, Snyder was one of the most humble players in the organization. When asked about his pitching, he always replied with a comment about how strong his defense was behind him and he couldn’t have won the game without them. Snyder has carried that mindset into the next level of his baseball career. “The guys on the team are like brothers,” said Snyder. “It’s good to know that you’ve got thirty four other guys that have your back in any situation.” Although the team is now a band of brothers, some of Snyder’s teammates were competition in high school. Hunter Hart, first baseman and freshman for the Tribe, played against Snyder at Patrick Henry last season. “I enjoyed competing against Hunter Hart from Patrick Henry during the fall and preseason,” said Snyder. “Now that the spring season has begun, we all just support each other and try to encourage each other in all aspects of the game.”
Later in the season, Snyder and the Tribe are set to play James Madison University where former Louisa teammate Lliam Grubbs is continuing his education and baseball career. “I’m excited,” said Snyder. “ It will be nice to see Lliam and get a chance to compete against him. I look forward to seeing how we progress throughout the season and hopefully we can get matched up against each other at some point during the series.”
After his impressive career debut, Snyder was awarded the CAA Rookie of the Week Award. “Honestly, I didn’t expect the recognition because I didn’t even know that award was a thing at the time it was presented to me,” said Snyder. “On the flip side, I think it is important to go outing to outing and not let past outings affect how I like to focus on each outing.” “The ultimate goal of the team this year is to develop and get better as the season progresses and also compete at the highest level possible,” said Snyder. Of course, Snyder has already set some personal goals for himself throughout the season. “ My goal for my freshman season is to stay healthy and compete in every aspect possible throughout the entire season in whatever way contributes the most to the team.” Even though Snyder has moved on to a higher level of baseball, he continues to put passion and effort into everything he does while also continuing to stay humble and a team player. “The most important thing to remember is that everyone is good,” said Snyder. “It just takes rising to the level of competition that is presented to you every day.”
