Whether the Connally Cougars need to get a key out or a key hit they know who to turn to, senior Zach Tobler.

Tobler recently pitched the Cougars to a district win over Bowie, belting a home run in the game as well. He followed that up by picking up a win against Pflugerville. He drove in two runs in that game as well.

“We’ve been doing pretty good,” Tobler said. “It’s been an up-and-down, but we’re having a pretty good season.”

Tobler is enjoying a great season not only on the mound but also at the plate. He is hitting .333 on the year with 25 RBIs, 21 runs scored, 11 steals and two home runs.

“This is the best season I’ve ever had,” he said. “Going up to 5A last year really helped bring up my competitiveness and skill level.”

His spectacular showing against Bowie came despite the fact he took a line drive off his hand while pitching.

“I felt going in like I’d have a good night,” he said. “I knew I could do well. When I took the line drive off my hand I just pushed myself to keep going. Eventually we got the win.”

Tobler has been a member of the Cougar varsity baseball team for three years. As he entered his senior season, the logical assumption would be that he moved into a leadership role. However, he said that was not really the case as he already felt he was a team leader last year.

“I feel liked I had that last year,” he said. “Last year our seniors didn’t step up as well so I feel like I had that already.”

Being a senior, Tobler knows his time playing for the Cougars is coming to an end. However, that does not mean his baseball career is.

“I”ve been looking at colleges and am excited about the future,” he said. “It’s kind of hard waiting (to find out where you’ll go). Once you get the chance you breathe a sigh of relief because you made it.”

Tobler began playing baseball when he was five-years old. He explained he was following in a family tradition.

“My brother played and my dad coached in the Pflugerville Little League,” he said. “I grew up on the field. I just picked up the ball and it came natural to me.”

From there his love for the game grew to the point where simply being on the baseball field is one of his favorite things.

“I love being out there, playing the game,” he said. “Whether I’m pitching or hitting, it’s all fun to me.”

Tobler is hopeful that his final season of high school baseball can last as long as possible.

“I want to win the rest of our games and go deep in the playoffs,” he said. “If we come together and play our game I think we can.”