Dakota Roberts, a Boone-Apache senior, is prepping for his last year playing pitcher and center field for the Warriors.

He also plays football and helps coach the junior high baseball team. There’s nothing quite like being a star athlete in a small town.

“What motivates me is seeing all the little kids at our games and cheering us on,” Roberts says.

Roberts lives by a hard work mentality.

“Lots of practice makes you way better, physically and mentally,” he says.

It’s something that comes to him naturally, but it’s also been instilled in him by important mentors in his life. The first of those was his parents.

“My mom and dad, most of all, they are my biggest supporters, but I would say my whole family. They love watching me and the team play,” Roberts says. “My role model is my brother. I loved watching him play baseball growing up. He helped me through a lot of things. My science teacher, he was our assistant coach in baseball, and he helped me become a better pitcher.”

And a talented pitcher he is, but Roberts can also launch the ball. One of the greatest highlights of his career so far is hitting a walk-off home run to win a game in a tournament. He also loves any chance to play the Blue Devils down the road.

“I enjoy beating Walters the most. They are our rivals,” Roberts says.

One thing that has bolstered Roberts’ career is taking quality reps in practice against quality players, like teammate Reece Sylvester, his catcher. The whole team, in fact, is locked in this season.

“Nobody is the least appreciative on my team,” Roberts says.

Above all, Roberts loves playing for his community.

“It means everything to me playing with the whole community,” Roberts says. “They are a big supporter.”

Roberts lists his favorite player as Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani.