Austin Stroschein of Linn-Mar High School has been named the first winner of the Metro Spotlight award for high school boys, presented by the Metro Sports Report.

Stroschein helped the Lions reach the Class 4A state baseball tournament this year and finish with a 27-16 record. He compiled an 8-1 record and 1.63 ERA on the mound and hit .365 with a home run and 27 RBIs at the plate.

Stroschein was named a first-team pitcher on the Mississippi Valley Conference all-star team and also made the first team on the Class 4A all-district squad. He will continue his baseball career at DMACC next season.

Here is our Question-and-Answer session with Austin Stroschein:

MSR: What is your favorite sports moment as an individual?

AUSTIN: Pitching 6 2/3 innings and going 3-for-3 at the plate against a really good Iowa City West team to make it to state this year.

MSR: What is your favorite sports moment as a team?

AUSTIN: Either beating Muscatine my junior year, allowing us to go to state, or beating Iowa City West my senior year and sending us to the state tournament, a huge accomplishment. It’s hard to pick just one.

MSR: Who has had the biggest influence on your sports career?

AUSTIN: My parents, no doubt. They've been behind me every step of the way and given me many opportunities to succeed. I couldn't have done it without them. Also, my brother Jordan. He’s always pushed me and challenged me to work harder. He’s my biggest supporter and a great role model.

MSR: What are your future goals in sports?

AUSTIN: I’ve made some lifelong friends from all over the country playing baseball and hope to continue to play as long as I can. DMACC is the next step. It will keep developing me as a player.

MSR: What are your favorite subjects in school?

AUSTIN: Definitely business. Linn-Mar did a great job making those classes interesting (which made it a little easier to go to school every day).

MSR: What has been your favorite community service project?

AUSTIN: Helping at youth baseball camps. I was in their shoes at one time and always looked up to the older players. I’ve tried to be a great role model for them.