By Ken Hansard

Rose Hill senior center fielder Blake Struble understands that, as the captain of the Rockets’ outfield, his job is to be rock-solid consistent, “My role for this team is being a leader and being reliable in the outfield.”

For the last three seasons, Struble has been just that.  Over those three seasons, he has been charged with only nine errors, and in this, his final season, only two.  As an added bonus, this season Blake has also proven to be highly reliable at the plate as well.  Struble worked hard in the off-season to improve his offense, and his batting average has nearly tripled this season.

Now that his high school career is drawing to a close, Struble has just a couple more things on his bucket list:  “The main thing going into this season I was looking forward to was being able to play my last season of baseball with the friends that I have grown up with.  But now I’m looking forward to playing in the State quarterfinals.  It’s a very big game for us.  If we lose, we are done, and it will be my last time ever playing baseball. I’ve played sports all my life, and it will seem weird not playing anymore.”

Regardless of what happens in the next few days, Blake is proud of what the Rockets have accomplished as a team, “Going to the State Quarterfinals was a long shot since we had to beat the back-to-back state champs, but knowing we did was an amazing feeling.”

Struble also starred for the Rockets on the gridiron in the fall. He was named first team All-league (AVCTL – Division IV) at safety. He also received an Honorable Mention for All-State, and was understandably presented with the Rockets’ defensive MVP award.

This coming fall, Struble will be attending Southwestern College to study mathematics and play football.