First Capitol News Athlete of the Week
“…he gets me though some tough times, and I know it…” – of his father, killed in an auto accident in 1989.
Mike Schrader, Sophomore, St. Charles West High School
By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
St. Charles West head baseball coach Brian Kessler hasn’t been hiding sophomore pitcher Mike Scrader, but you would be hard pressed to convince the Lindbergh Flyers of such. All Scrader did in his first start of the year was go the distance while shutting out the south St. Louis County school. “We wanted to work him along slowly, get him a few innings here and a few innings there before we threw him into the starting rotation,” said Kessler, “its not that he hasn’t been playing. He’s as good a first baseman and as good a hitter as he is a pitcher. We’ve even used him as a designated hitter, so its not like pitching is all he can do.” Mike is presently hitting at a .296 clip for the 3-14 Warriors.
It may not be all he can do, but he sure seems to do it well. At 6’ 4” and a southpaw, the underclassman seems to have all the tools to get the job done, and possesses a hefty dose of modesty. “All I did was throw strikes (against Lindbergh), the defense did all the real work. Its easy when your defense plays as they did.” Sure, and when a 6’ 4” left-hander is throwing 84 mile an hour fast balls, as Mike has been clocked, the hitters are going to be somewhat off balance.
Not being in the starting rotation ate at the competitive nature of the sophomore. “I wanted to get out there and compete. I wanted to get out there and contribute as a starter,” he shared. “Mike was penciled in as a starter at the beginning of the season,” offered Kessler, “unfortunately he developed some arm problems. Couple that with the season we are having. The coaching staff decided to bring him along slowly. We were not going to jeopardize Mike’s arm, no way,” said the skipper. “Now it is going to pay dividends, because now Mike is back. Back and stronger than ever.”
Mike gives most of the credit of his development to Kessler. “There is no question in my mind that I am the ball player I am today because of Coach Kessler. He knows so much about every aspect of the game. Playing for him is just plain awesome.”
Mike has more than just Kessler on his side. When Mike was in the 3rd grade he was riding in the car with his dad when his dad was killed in an automobile accident. It happened on Easter Sunday 1998. “I ask my dad for help all the time, whether it be pitching, hitting – he’s there, he gets me though some tough times, and I know it,” proudly says the young man.
Mike lives with his mom and step dad, Debbie and James Zahn. When asked his favorite eating establishment he quickly responded “Red Lobster.” He knew not exactly what he would order, but did know, “that if someone else was paying for it he would order a lot, ‘cause everything on their menu is good, and I really do like to eat there.”
To nominate an athlete contact Mike McMurran at mcmurran@charter.net or 314.280.9189
