Ankeny Centennial baseball standout Emerson Alberhasky is looking forward to being reunited with Cole Grider, who is now a freshman on the Wartburg College squad.
Alberhasky has verbally committed to join the Knights’ program next year.
“I can’t wait to team up with Cole again, and I think a few guys from Valley might join me as well here soon,” said Alberhasky. “So I’m super excited!”
Alberhasky and Grider helped Centennial to the best season in school history in 2023. The Jaguars posted a 30-8 record and earned a share of the CIML Conference title along with Johnston, the eventual Class 4A state champion.
Alberhasky, a pitcher and third baseman, batted .340 with one home run, three triples and 27 RBIs. On the mound, he went 5-0 with a 2.37 ERA.
His versatility was recognized by the coaches in the CIML Conference and the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. He was named to a utility position on the all-conference second team and the Class 4A North Central all-district first team.
Alberhasky said he looked at a lot of schools when he began the recruiting process.
“I looked at a lot of JUCOs, but eventually my family and I decided that a four-year program best suited me,” he said. “I visited Winona State and Wartburg in a span of five days, and I knew I had a lot more interest in Wartburg after that. In the end it came down to Minnesota State-Mankato and Wartburg, but the persistence from the Wartburg coaches as well as (the fact) it’s closer to home were the main factors for me in choosing Wartburg.”
Wartburg posted a 14-21 record last season, including a 9-15 mark in the American Rivers Conference. Former Centennial infielder Keaton Gray is a senior on the Knights’ squad.
“I like how determined they are to win,” Alberhasky said. “They are very excited about the 2024 recruiting class, and they think that they are building a championship team.”