Senior outfielder Easton Miller helped the Ankeny Centennial baseball team to a 30-8 record this season. He batted .330 with 18 RBIs and led the Jaguars with three home runs.
Miller was named to the Class 4A all-state second team by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. He was also selected to the CIML Conference second team and to the Class 4A North Central all-district first team.
Here is some inside info on Miller:
Congratulations on an outstanding season. I know you missed several games due to an injury, but were you happy with the way you played this year?
Yes, I felt good with the way I played, especially being in the CIML Conference and playing most of the top teams every week.
What was the highlight of the season for you? Was it the back-to-back home runs in your last two at-bats against Ankeny on June 28?
Oh yeah, definitely the highlight was the home runs against Ankeny and Southeast Polk.
You then homered in your first at-bat the next day in a game at Southeast Polk, giving you homers on three consecutive trips to the plate. To what do you attribute your power surge in those two contests, since you had never homered in a varsity game before?
I just knew it would happen at some point and had a great mindset at the plate.
I’m sure you felt like your team was every bit as good–if not better–than Johnston. Was it tough to see the Dragons defend their Class 4A crown after your team had tied them for the conference title?
Yeah, it definitely hurt to see them winning, especially knowing we were the better team.
You had already committed to join the Iowa State football program as a preferred walk-on. Did you ever consider skipping your senior baseball season in order to get a head start on your college football career?
Yeah, it did take some thought for me to decide, but I talked with (assistant) coach (Derek) Hoodjer up at ISU. He said he had no problem with me playing, and I couldn’t leave my team for my senior year.
You were obviously a multi-sport athlete in high school. Do you think that was more beneficial for you than what focusing on just one sport would have been?
Yes, definitely. I think being a multi-sport athlete is a great thing because it gives you confidence in aspects of the game you know others might not have and knowing you can compete in multiple sports.
I know you have to report for fall camp on Saturday. What do you think will be the biggest adjustment for you in trying to play at the Power 5 level?
I think the biggest thing will just be the mental part of it. Just always staying in it when the going gets tough and never giving up.
There are some other players from Ankeny on the Iowa State roster, including former Ankeny Centennial offensive lineman Brady Petersen. Have any of them told you what to expect coming into the program?
They just say get ready to work hard, and I can’t wait for you to become part of the family.
You told me when you committed that Iowa State had recruited you as an athlete. Do you know yet which position you will likely play?
I’m not for sure yet, but I would guess safety.
Do you think your first chance to make an impact for the team might come on special teams?
Yes, I believe special teams will probably be the first thing and then I can gradually work my way up (the depth chart).
What do you think of the Big 12 Conference expanding to 16 teams in 2024 with the return of Colorado and the additions of Arizona, Arizona State and Utah?
I think it will be awesome to play some of those teams and get to expand the conference.