Cole Finch doesn’t mind starting things. In fact, he prefers it. Whether he’s stepping into the batter’s box as a switch-hitting leadoff hitter or setting the tone defensively on the basketball court, he’s built to spark momentum.
At Pioneer Pleasant-Vale, Cole has become known for his versatility. On the baseball field, his left-handed arm anchors him on the mound and in center field, covering ground and controlling the pace of the game. On the court, he’s a guard who takes pride in defense, doing the gritty work that doesn’t always show up in the box score but often decides the outcome.
That mindset traces back to one core belief: failure is part of the process. Baseball, more than any other sport, forced Cole to understand that even the best fall short more often than they succeed. Instead of resisting that reality, he leaned into it. Every strikeout, every missed play became fuel. The lesson stuck, keep working, keep showing up, no matter what.
His proudest moment came in the spring of 2025, when Pioneer made a rare run to the State Baseball Tournament. Only a handful of teams in school history had reached that stage, and Cole helped push them even further. A semifinal game that stretched into extra innings against Canute became more than just a game, it became a defining experience, one that tested everything he had worked for.
Cole’s journey wasn’t always smooth. As a freshman, still finding his place after stepping away from football, he leaned on teammates like Ty Parker, who saw potential in him before he fully saw it in himself. That belief helped reshape his confidence and gave him a clearer sense of who he could become.
Off the field, inspiration comes from unlikely places. The story of Rocky Balboa lit a fire in him, pushing him toward the weight room and teaching him what it means to endure. That same underdog mentality shows up in how he plays, gritty, relentless, and team-first, much like Dennis Rodman, another athlete he admires.
Now, Cole plays for something bigger than himself. He remembers being the kid watching older players in the cages, dreaming of one day being in their shoes. As that player now, he carries a quiet responsibility, to set the example, to leave something behind.
And for Cole Finch, that legacy is built one swing, one play, and one moment at a time.
