HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Baseball beyond Xavier

Editor's note: Here is your chance to tell your story about your team, your school or your favorite player. If you'd like to join The Gazette's growing list of high school contributors, contact J.R. Ogden at jr.ogden@thegazette.com

By Katherine Bauer, Xavier juniorCEDAR RAPIDS - For Corbin Woods and Mitch Keller baseball is more than a game.“Baseball has been in my family,” said Woods, a senior who started playing in kindergarten. “My grandpa was a coach at the University of Iowa. My dad played at Iowa State. And my brother plays at Belmont.”Keller, a junior, also started playing baseball as a kindergartner.“Baseball is what I love to do,” he said. “I've always been around it.”Woods is hoping to continue with a career in baseball and will play at Heartland Community College in Normal, Ill., the next two years.After that, he wants to move on to a four-year college.“I always encourage those with the skill to handle the next level and run with it,” said Dave Schemmel, who has coached at Xavier since the school opened 15 years ago. “He'll have a lot of fun. And college is a whole different experience.”Keller, a second baseman and pitcher, also is planning on playing baseball in college and will attend the University of North Carolina.Woods and Keller are excited about this season. The Saints opened the year by winning the Bob Vrbicek Metro tournament.“We're going to give our best,” said Woods, a shortstop and pitcher who wants to lead Xavier to the state tournament.Schemmel wants his players to improve year to year.“I've always taught varsity,” he said. “Many of these players are returning and we just want them to keep getting better.”The Saints play at Benton Community tonight in a game televised by KCRG 9.2.