It takes raw talent to become a good pitcher. There's time spent in the offseason working on your mechanics and mornings in the weight room trying to improve your strength. You've got to trust your catcher or your coach to make the right call.

But for Eric Conway, mental toughness was the No. 1 thing to work out before his senior season at Auburn High School. Conway admits to wearing his emotions on his sleeve, but this year he battled his demons and led the Maroons to the Section III, Class AA finals. He settled down, pitched his way to a 7-2 record with 87 strikeouts and a 2.56 ERA. This is why Eric Conway is The Citizen's player of the year in baseball.

“One of the things I've learned is you've got to be in the present moment,” he said. “The pitch you just threw is behind you and you've got to dig deep and do whatever you can do right now in the present moment in order to execute the pitch.”

“It was very evident in games he dominated and won when he brought his 'A' game and he had his good stuff, and he won games when he didn't have his stuff - his 'B' game,” said Auburn coach TJ Gamba. “That's indicative of a kid who's matured, who knows how to pitch. He battled through and had a warrior type of mentality. He did not lose his composure.”

Conway was the Maroons' ace this season, and was the team MVP as well as a first team all-league selection. Gamba put him on the mound for Auburn's toughest opponents.

“He's pitched all the big games,” Gamba said. “He's our No. 1 go-to guy.”

Conway has three pitches: a fastball, curve and change-up. He thinks his fastball is his best, and regularly throws in the upper 80s.

“He has a great velocity, which is tough to compete with at this level,” Gamba said. “He has a devastating breaking ball - when he throws it he's on command of it.”

Conway would like to play junior college ball next year but right now, he'll relax and enjoy the summer knowing he made significant strides in his senior season.

“I had some high expectations for my senior year and I was able to go out and compete,” Conway said. “Unfortunately I lost the big one (against Utica Proctor in the Section III championship), but overall I was very satisfied with what I was able to do this year.”