Aledo grad’s simple approach to game brings big results to WC

Ask Trace Mazon what it is he loves so much about baseball, and he'll give you a simple answer. 

"My backstory is pretty similar to most other guys, I had a bat in my hands since I could walk," he said. "The game has always been a big part of my life, and I wouldn't change it for the world." 

However, what he's doing for the Weatherford College Coyotes is anything but simple. After posting a freshman campaign that saw him bat .339 and lead the team in runs batted in with 65 and doubles with 21, he's back with an even more impressive sophomore campaign. 

As of this article, Mazon was leading the Coyotes in batting average (.402), slugging percentage (.774), home runs (15), hits (66), extra-base hits (30), RBI (55) as well as being tied for the lead walks (31) and was second in on-base percentage (.495) and doubles (14). 

He was also a perfect 11-for-11 stealing bases, second on the squad. 

But, again, mention this to him and he'll humbly reply, "I've tried my best not to get caught up in the season and what the numbers look like. As great as it is to have individual success, that's not on my mind right now." 

What he will talk about, however, is team success, something he knows plenty about. After leading his Aledo Bearcats to several deep playoff runs in high school, he helped the Coyotes to a 45-15 record last season, winning a conference championship and finishing within a hair's width of a return to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I World Series, where they finished third in 2023. 

Of course, that was a year before Mazon came on board. But he was watching as his future team was close to capturing a national championship, posting a 53-11 record, the best in team history. 

Last season was the second best, but this season's team appears ready to supplant them - and perhaps even the 2023 squad. As of this article, they were 37-8 and ranked No. 3 in the nation, after spending several weeks ranked No. 1. 

They also gave coach Jeff Lightfoot his 900th career victory. 

"We have a super-talented team and a real shot to win the World Series," Mazon said. "The main goal I set this year was to leave it all out on the field every single day. If I do that, that's all I can ask of myself, and everything else will fall into place." 

Mazon said he is proud to be in a position to be a part of something that has never happened before with the program. He noted the winning tradition was one of the main reasons why he chose to come to WC.  

"Our team has unlimited potential and has a real chance to do something special. We have had a lot of success this season and have won a lot of games," he said. "Our pitching staff gets stronger and stronger each week. I don't think that our offense has completely clicked yet. But it is very close, and once we do click, it will be tough to stop our lineup." 

Lightfoot said he has enjoyed watching Mazon develop into a top-notch college player. 

"It's been fun to watch Trace's progress. He has turned himself into a big-time player who can beat you in multiple ways," Lightfoot said. "Trace has a great work ethic, and it shows on and off the field. I think Trace is going to get to play for a long time." 

Like many college athletes, Mazon played select ball growing up. It was a challenge that he said is paying off in a big way today. 

"Playing travel ball growing up was interesting for me. I had been undersized the majority of my life, so I had to compete at a higher level growing up to be able to keep up with everyone else," he said. "Now that the playing field is level for me physically, I feel like I have the upper hand since I have always had to play harder to keep up with everyone else." 

He also said his experience playing for Aledo and long-time Bearcats coach Chad Barry helped prepare him for college ball.  

"He was a kid who had to work at being great. He wasn't blessed with great size or anything that gave him an advantage. Everything he has achieved has come through hours of work when other people weren't watching," Barry said. "He helped set a blue-collar example of how to win, how to be successful with his work ethic. 

"His impact on our program is really an extension of others that came before him, like Creed Williams, Max Belyeu and Logan Hewitt. He watched those guys that came before him and followed the blueprint." 

Barry compared Mazon's impact to the Aledo program to that of a famous alum who is now pitching for the Texas Rangers. 

"His impact is one that is similar to Cody Bradford," Barry said. "He wasn't always the most talented or skilled player on the field, but his senior year, nobody questioned who the hardest working player on the field was." 

Mazon has committed to play for Coastal Carolina University next season and to turn professional when the time is right. 

Of course, given Lightfoot's long history of sending Coyotes to the pros, that could come a lot sooner than later. 

"Playing for a winning program and town in high school helped me to learn to play to the standard day in and day out," Mazon said. "The expectation was always to win, no matter who the opponent was. That expectation and tradition is very similar to the one we have here at WC."