With only two seniors and three returning everyday starters on the roster of the Delaware Hayes High School baseball team, coach Mike Yinger knew he would have to do a lot of teaching this season.

But the good news for Yinger is that senior center fielder Nate Stuntz has helped in that capacity.

"It's one thing to hear it over and over again from a coach," Yinger said. "It means more when it comes from a leader, someone who has been in the program for a while and someone who has worked so hard to improve his game."

Stuntz batted .261 last season and scored 21 runs. He knew that in order to help lead the team, he had to lead by example. According to Yinger, Stuntz has accomplished that goal.

Through 19 games, Stuntz was batting .448 (30-for-67) from the leadoff spot. He had 25 runs, 14 RBI, seven walks and 18 stolen bases. He is the team's best base runner and has been a catalyst for a squad which lacks power hitting.

"I worked real hard last summer, and the hitting facility (which was completed last winter) was a tremendous asset," Stuntz said. "I hit five or six times a week. Coach Yinger is a good hitting coach and stressed to me what I was doing wrong last season. But he couldn't coach us (because of OHSAA rules) for long stretches.

"So, (former Delaware) players like Evan Shaw and Caleb Wilburn were there to help us as well."

Stuntz said once his main problem was identified, he worked on several drills relentlessly to correct it. He said he would have someone throw soft-toss to him while he was on one knee. He used one hand on the bat and choked way up. That drill helped his hands go straight to the ball. Then he would use two hands on the bat, making sure to make contact with the ball away from his body.

"In addition to that, there were several Tee drills and then a soft-toss drill when the ball is thrown from behind you," Stuntz said. "That means you see it, identify it and swing through it. It's about keeping your bat in the zone for a longer period of time before rolling your hands. From there, I'd go to live pitching, higher speeds and hitting curveballs. It was drill after drill after drill. But it worked."

Yinger said the change has been dramatic and exciting.

"He is an example of perseverance paying off and it's something every player in our program can point to and emulate," Yinger said. "Nate is a product of our system, which makes us extremely proud."

When the Pacers are hitting, Stuntz is usually standing at the edge of the dugout, talking and encouraging the batter and on-deck batter. When his teammates make an out, he greets them and talks to them about the at-bat.

"I wish I had at least five more of him," Yinger said. "He works so hard and just competes."

• ALSO - Sophomore shortstop Jacob Bosiokovic was hitting .536 (30-for-57) for the Pacers, who learn their Division I district draw today.

Senior Kody Akers had 24 RBI and junior Nick Ratliff was 6-0 on the mound.

Delaware hit just one home run in its first 20 games before sophomore Brandon Johnson slugged two in a 10-7 win over Big Walnut last Wednesday. He hit a two-run homer in the third and a solo shot in the seventh. He also singled and scored in the second. He finished 3-for-3 with three runs and three RBI.

Ratliff hit a three-run double in the first inning. Stuntz was 2-for-5 with a double.