BABSON PARK, Fla. (March 16, 2020) – Congratulations to Cole Steinmetz on being named this week's Warrior of the Week by Webber International University Athletics. Cole is in his freshman year at Webber and plays on the junior varsity baseball team. Head Junior Varsity Baseball Coach Matt Saliba says, "Cole did an overall great job for us this year. He had a lot of confidence up at the plate and every time we needed him to drive a run in, he came through for us. He also did a really good job defensively at third base and helped us win games with his defense. He always played hard and was into what was going on in the game, which is what we like to see. I am excited to watch him keep getting better."
 
Cole had a strong freshman year and in his last three games, he had nine hits in 13 at bats with eight runs batted in. He has also scored five runs and most notably hit a grand slam on Monday, March 9, against Glen Oaks Community College in a game in which the Warriors won 20-9. "The grand slam by Cole broke the game open and helped us get the big win," spoke Coach Saliba. Cole says that he has enjoyed the season and that they won a lot of games. Webber finished its shortened season 8-5 overall and 3-0 in conference.
 
Entering into his first season of collegiate baseball this year, Cole says, "The competition is a lot harder compared to high school, but I knew it would be coming into it. The fall really helped to prepare me for the season." In high school, Cole played shortstop, but this year he played third base for Webber and enjoyed the learning experience. His goal is to be called up to the varsity team as soon as possible, and in order to do this, he is going to continue to work hard and try to always be at the top of his game.
 
Cole's preparation for a baseball game is always the same, he ensures that he eats the same breakfast for every gameday. This breakfast consists of oatmeal with brown sugar and syrup before mixing in eggs and bacon. He also eats a banana and peanut butter sandwich.
 
At the age of four, Cole's baseball career began with tee ball. He fell in love with the game immediately and has played ever since. Cole said "I just loved hanging out with all of my friends; the friendships you develop on the diamond are something else." He says the connections he made are better than anything else and that he is still friends with them to this day. Cole played baseball for his high school, Victory Christian Academy, and it was his high school coach that helped him to be recruited by Coach Saliba to come play at Webber.
 
When Cole toured Webber for the first time, he knew it was the right school for him. The location was ideal as it was a good distance from his home in Lakeland, Florida, and he really liked the coaching staff and loved the baseball field with its view of Crooked Lake. Cole also came to Webber with friends Edwin Sandoval and Ryan Kinney.
 
Since coming to Webber, Cole has loved every second and did not expect college to be as fun as it is. His favorite memory so far was "The Fall World Series" at Webber, which is a scrimmage with a difference. The entire junior varsity squad had to dress up as they went into a mock draft to create two teams, captained by Paul Evans and Joseph Creamons, to play against each other. On the line was delicious BBQ for the winners and a mere baloney sandwich for the losers. Cole was drafted by Creamons but unfortunately was on the losing side of the game and had to endure watching Evans' team eating their BBQ while he ate the baloney sandwich.
 
Cole is a sport business management major at Webber and says he chose it because if he is not playing baseball he wants to work within it. "I really enjoyed my first semester with Dr. Tom Aaron (Department Chair, Sport Business Management). It went really well and I learned a lot about how to get a career started within baseball," said Cole.
 
Cole's biggest motivator is his love for baseball. He says, "I just love the sport so much and want to play it every day; the thought of doing that is one of the best things I can think of." He also says his family helps to keep him on track. His role model is his favorite baseball player, Derek Jeter, and his biggest influencer is his grandfather. Cole says his grandfather taught him how to work hard and keep going, and he keeps this in the back of his head for anytime when he feels like giving up.
 
To Cole, being a Warrior means to follow in the footsteps of the great players who have played at Webber previously and the ones who are still playing here now. He says it means to keep up their legacy and the atmosphere that they bring to Webber baseball and this is what Cole tries to do each and every day.
 
Congratulations to Cole Steinmetz on being named this week's Warrior of the Week.
 

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*The Warrior of the Week is a new feature on the Webber International University Athletics website, written and published by student-athlete Megan Warner.
 
*Each week, the head coach from different sports will be able to put forward a student-athlete they believe deserves to be recognized. The Warrior of the Week is someone that embodies everything it means to be a student-athlete at Webber International University. They demonstrate true commitment to their program and the university as a whole. They work hard both athletically and academically, are a positive member of their community, and always strive to be the best person they can be.