By Blake Chadwick

After falling short in the state championship game a year ago, Cooper Bailey and the rest of the Marion baseball team now know what it takes to make it to that stage and have every intention of winning one this season.

Bailey is a center fielder and a pitcher, who has played almost his whole life. On top of his school work, Bailey is also currently the Vice President of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and the owner of the school coffee shop.

If there’s one thing this commitment shows, it is that the senior has always been one for teamwork.

“As a senior, to be a true leader I have to be a role model for not only the underclassmen below, but the youth that will come into the Marion Baseball program,” Bailey said. “I believe that establishing a culture that has leaders that hold each other to a high standard is vital to having a long-term successful program.”

His head coach, Roger Schroeder, has seen his leadership since the time he stepped in the doors of Marion.

“Cooper has been a very solid player for us the past three years on the diamond,” the head coach said. “He was a platoon guy for us as a freshman, got his feet wet at the varsity level, and has settled into a starting role for us the past two seasons.”

From there, Bailey hasn’t looked back. Becoming a very key part of their pitching rotation and a great outfielder who coach knows he can count on.

“As an individual, I feel I can place my success in the outfield to my commitment in every ball that is hit, never giving up on anything and always believing that I am going to catch everything that comes my way,” Bailey said.