Freshman seasons usually come with nerves, adjustments, and quiet learning. For Dash Garcia, they’ve come with expectations.

As a switch-hitter, pitcher, and coach’s son, Dash stepped onto the varsity roster carrying the weight of both talent and responsibility. Yet instead of shrinking under it, he’s using it to fuel the player he is becoming.

“It’s definitely a really exciting opportunity, and I’m glad that I get to experience this,” Dash said. “Because I’ve been training all my life and always envisioned this for myself.”

Baseball has always been a part of Dash’s life since his dad was still playing in college when he was born.

“I’ve grown up at the baseball field since I was very little,” Dash said. “Because my dad was still playing college baseball when I was born, I’ve always been around it.”

Dash uses all the higher-level players as a way to motivate his work ethic in training to be a great baseball player.

“Seeing all the higher-level players made me realize this is what I want to do with my life,” Dash said. “And I take that into my work ethic every day.”

Coach Garcia said Dash’s true ability to play baseball at a varsity level came clear after a standout performance in the weight room during the summer.

“In August, when all the players arrived on campus, we maxed out in the weight room and Dash finished in the top three for all lifts,” Coach Garcia said. “When we tested exit velocity, he recorded the top exit velocity at 87 MPH.”

Garcia described him as unusually strong for a freshman.

 “He’s what you would call a ‘plug and play’ player,” Coach Garcia said. “He can play multiple positions at a really high clip, and his defensive versatility is a huge advantage for us right now.”

Dash is a talented baseball utility player who is also ambidextrous.

“He has the ability to play all three infield positions, catch, and pitch,” Coach Garcia said. “And he hits right- and left-handed, which makes him a really interesting piece in any lineup.”

Playing at a varsity level is never easy, but Dash put in the work to prepare to perform at a higher level.

“Balancing pitching and catching at the varsity level is definitely tough,” Dash said. “But with training and preparation, I’ve prepared my arm for the demands of both.”

While being able to both pitch and catch, Dash shifted to what comes more naturally on the field.

“Pitching comes more naturally to me,” Dash said. “I love the competitiveness on the mound.”

Despite viewing pitching as something that comes naturally to him, he also views catching as a very important role, as he sees it as a way to help him become a better pitcher.

“Catching helps me as a pitcher because it teaches me to be a commander and leader on the field,” Dash said. “And when I pitch, I try to be the catcher I would want to throw to.”

That mindset comes into play as he puts in the long hours to master both roles.

“It just takes all the early mornings and late nights,” Dash said. “And the biggest challenge was definitely the mental part of my game.”

Those internal battles, Dash admitted, were some of his toughest moments of the season.

“I was really struggling at certain times playing higher levels of baseball,” Dash said. “But I always figured out a way to power through and keep my head straight.”

Eventually, he found a rhythm by changing his perspective and narrowing his focus.

“I overcame it by really focusing on myself and stopping worrying about external distractions,” Dash said. “And by envisioning my dreams and thinking about my goals.”

Garcia said Dash’s success comes entirely from hard work, not natural talent.

“I think his work ethic and focus are what I’m most proud of,” Coach Garcia said. “He understands how to stack his days and work for what he wants.”

Coach Garcia said the hardest part of their relationship is knowing when to be a coach and when to be a dad, a line that can blur during tough practices or games.

“My dad, who is also my coach, has helped me the most,” Dash said. “And being coached by him comes with a lot of pressure, but pressure is a privilege.”

That tension created challenges early on, as both of them had to learn how to separate family from baseball.

“Being a coach’s son can be hard,” Dash said. “But once we got through those bumps, I learned not to take things too personally because he’s always trying to help me.”

Not only was Dash’s dad proud of him, but Isaiah Benitez, someone who has known Dash his whole life, shares that he is also pretty happy for him.

“I was pretty happy for him,” junior Isaiah Benitez said. “I’ve known him my whole life, and he’s a pretty good baseball player.”

Benitez said he’s seen Dash’s talent grow and believes this is only the beginning.

“I see his potential going really well,” Benitez said. “He already has a good arm. I could see him going to the next level.”

Dash shares that same sense of possibility when he talks about what he hopes to accomplish.

“My goals this season are being Newcomer of the Year and making the playoffs,” Dash said. “And by the time I’m a senior, I hope to have multiple playoff runs and awards.”

Looking further ahead, Dash has his eyes set on even bigger decisions.

“I want to know by then whether I’m going to play college ball or go professional,” Dash said. “Because if I work hard enough, being drafted is in reach.”

His coach echoes that confidence, recognizing just how high the ceiling could be.

“I think Dash can be as good as he wants to be,” Coach Garcia said. “These next four years are going to be a special time for him.”