Marion’s Jake Miller possesses a flair for fun on the baseball field

MARION — Jake Miller enjoys baseball.

His flair and passion are so apparent they are the first things Marion Coach Steve Fish noted about his sophomore leadoff hitter. Miller brings that excitement to each game and practice.

Miller draws his enthusiasm from a simple source.

“I like to treat it like a Wiffle ball game,” Miller said about the contests he used to have with Wolves teammates Isaac, Isaiah and Elijah Scott. “That’s when you’re having the most fun when you’re with your friends in the backyard.

“Just being here with all the guys on the team. Everybody is so nice and really inclusive. We have great chemistry, and it makes it great to come out here.”

Miller has developed into an offensive leader and a versatile defender for the Class 3A fourth-ranked Wolves. He had three of Marion’s 13 hits in a 14-4 victory in five innings over 2A No. 3 Dyersville Beckman in a non-conference baseball game at Marion High School.

“It was a pretty good night,” Miller said. “Our entire team was hitting. We’re putting in the work and its coming into fruition. Everybody is hitting the ball.”

Miller smacked a double and two singles, giving him a team-high 40 hits this season. He also leads the Wolves with 33 runs and 18 stolen bases. Miller is also second with a .400 batting average and tied for second with 26 RBIs.

“Jake is having a hell of a year,” Fish said. “He might be a sneaky MVP on this team. … He leads off. He is aggressive.”

All-staters Myles Davis and Kaden Frommelt follow him in the lineup. Their presence provides a boost, knowing he will get pitches to hit, and they can move him around the bases.

“I just try to get on base so they can hit me in,” Miller said. “They’re the best hitters I’ve seen and really hit the ball. Having them behind me gives me confidence.”

The impact is much more than production at the plate. Normally, Miller mans third base. He has filled in at other spots, playing shortstop when Davis is gone to attend showcases and catching to spell Frommelt or when Frommelt takes the mound.

“The kid comes and has fun,” Fish said. “He loves playing. He’s been fun to watch.”

Willingness to play various positions is an example of his selfless play. He is motivated more by team success than his own.

“Whatever the team needs,” Miller said. “If I can help the team in one position, I’ll go to that position for them.”

Marion earned a top seed in 3A Substate 5 and opens the postseason July 7 against South Tama. The Wolves swept the Trojans, 5-2 and 13-0, May 25. A familiar formula will be key for Marion to advance.

“If we keep having fun playing the game of baseball, we can go a long way,” Miller said. “If we do what we did tonight, keep hitting and cheering each other on, I think we can go far.”