LAFAYETTE — Tri-County senior pitcher and first baseman Grayson Schneider had plenty of coaches during his career.
But among the ones who helped him find mastery of both command and movement over his changeup was current assistant coach Denny Stitz.
Stitz was the head coach when Tri-County won its first state title in 1998 and was brought back in as a guiding voice and share his knowledge on pitching.
“He’s coached me since I was a freshman and it’s been a blast,” Schneider said.
Stitz taught Schneider how to properly grip a changeup and incorporate into an arsenal that would help him land an opportunity to play college baseball at Indiana Wesleyan.
Schneider used the changeup to devastating effect and struck out 125 batters, the second most strikeouts in the state in 2025.
Schneider’s production from the plate (.378/.495/.649) replicated his success at the mound and was voted the 2025 Journal & Courier Small Schools Baseball Player of the Year in 2025.
“I’m extremely grateful and blessed for all the people that supported me to get to this point,” Schneider said after pitching in the North South All-Star Game at Loeb Stadium on June 28. “I want to give them all the credit.”
Along with pitching, Schneider credited Stitz for helping him become more resilient under pressure after allowing a hit, a walk or when an error would occur.
Schneider admitted to struggling with mental blocks in past seasons but this year was different.
Tri-County, anchored by Schneider, captured its first IHSAA sectional title since 2011.
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@jconline.com, on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Tri-County pitcher Grayson Schneider wins J&C Small Schools Baseball Player of the Year
Reporting by Ethan Hanson, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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