By Ken Hansard
Dodge City High School senior Jace Gifford is approaching his final baseball season with a clear sense of purpose and determination. A pitcher for the Red Demons in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), Gifford has embraced both the challenges and opportunities that come with leading his team from the mound. “Coming into this season I was really excited to see how our team was going to build off the year before,” Gifford said. “Last year we had good pieces, and we were so close to being a really good team. This year I’m very excited to see those pieces click into place.”
Gifford views his role as more than just throwing strikes. “I see my role on my team as someone who is going to come into the game with a mindset of confidence and set the tone for the rest of the game,” he said. That approach has already paid off early in the season. After suffering a minor hip injury, Gifford returned in time for the conference opener and delivered a standout performance, pitching a complete game with just three hits allowed, six strikeouts, and one run allowed in the win.
The Demons are currently sitting at 4-4 as a team and 1-1 in conference play, and Gifford believes they are just getting started. “It’s very early, and I think we have a good chance of building a strong résumé going into the postseason,” he said. Jace also thrives in high-pressure moments, adding, “When I take the mound in a conference game, it’s different. The stakes are high and the pressure is there.”
Off the field, Gifford excels in the classroom with a 3.9 GPA and is involved in both the National Honors Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His goals remain simple but meaningful. “I want to look back on my senior season and see that I put every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears into my team. No regrets.”
