Munster outfielder Nate Southwell came to a realization.
As a senior and a captain, he had to adjust his attitude.
“In prior years, I struggled with my anger management on the field,” Southwell said. “I just feel like now, it’s a game, have fun. It’s the last ride.
“I’ve definitely focused on how to carry myself around others, how to set a good example for the underclassmen. If I’m flipping out, underclassmen see. It’s not a good look for me. It’s not acceptable for me, and it’s not acceptable for them.”
Munster coach Mike Mikolajczyk has known Southwell since he was in middle school and has watched him take positive steps forward.
“One of the biggest things I’ve seen with Nate and his progress over the four years is his ability to take a setback, like a strikeout, and just roll with it a little bit,” Mikolajczyk said. “In the past, he would’ve come back to the dugout really mad, maybe saying a few things he shouldn’t be saying, maybe slamming a few things he shouldn’t be slamming. I haven’t seen that at all from him this year.
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“It shows his leadership, his maturity, this year because guys are looking to him to be a leader. The way he carries himself now has been a great thing to see this year.”
That has carried over to Southwell’s performance for the Mustangs (12-3, 6-0), who are ranked No. 8 in the Class 4A state coaches poll and aim to contend for a Northwest Crossroads Conference title along with fellow unbeatens Andrean, which is ranked No. 1 in 3A, and Hanover Central, which is ranked No. 4 in 3A.
As the cleanup hitter, Southwell is batting .455 with a team-high five homers, a team-high 27 RBIs and 12 runs scored. The IU Kokomo recruit ranks among the state’s leaders in home runs, according to MaxPreps, after hitting three in his previous two seasons combined. Crown Point senior Sean Dunlap has a state-best seven.
Southwell, who intends to room with Lake Central’s Keegan O’Bryan next school year, offered a simple explanation for his power surge.
“At the plate, I’m not even trying to hit home runs anymore,” he said. “Just stay up the middle, easy swing, stay through it. It’s all about the approach. When you’re not thinking about home runs, that’s when it happens.
“I’ve just really been thinking about my approach this year. I’ve changed it up from my prior years, and it’s helping me out mentally, and it’s just showing on the field.”
Sophomore second baseman Donovan Craig recognizes Southwell’s importance to the Mustangs, who will play in a 4A sectional that includes No. 2 Crown Point and No. 10 Lake Central.
“Nate plays a crucial role on our team as he’s a smooth left-handed bat that hits for power and contact,” Craig said. “He and our other seniors effectively lead our team and keep us focused for our postseason goals — a sectional championship and a state run.
“Nate is a great leader. Even when he was a junior and I was a freshman, he would take me under his wing and give me rides home or just talk about life and school. He’s overall a spark plug in the lineup and plays a critical role on our team.”
Southwell also was a key contributor for Munster’s hockey team as a center and a captain, although he said, “Baseball is my priority.”
Southwell has increasingly understood his role in a primary position.
“Everybody looks up to me,” he said. “I have to set a good example. It’s really fun leading this team. This team is special. Bringing the underclassmen in as family, that family aspect, has really been a big part of the team this year.
“The difference I see in this group is that this group never quits. This team fights through adversity. We respond back. It’s grit. We’re figuring out what we have and how special we can be.”