Sammamish Totems senior baseball player Nick DeGallier is a jack-of-all-trades player across the diamond.

DeGallier, who pitches, plays first base and roams the outfield, is dedicated to doing whatever it takes to help his team win ball games. That can-do attitude is something Totems third-year baseball head coach Cory Smith thoroughly enjoys.

“Nick is one of our best pitchers and is probably our best hitter. He is a very intelligent player and has a really deep understanding of the game,” Smith said. “I have watched him mature over the past three years into a leader. He is a lot more vocal and he is always getting the younger guys into the right spots. He sets a positive example for everybody on the team. We only have 12 guys on the roster this year. These guys know that we have to show up every day and do things the right way if we’re going to be successful.”

Smith said the KingCo 2A/3A Division is a formidable league.

“It’s a challenge to play in this league but every year we’ve been competitive,” Smith said. “We have scrappy hard nosed kids who play the right way. That is one of those things I try to instill in these kids. Regardless if we win or lose, we’re going to play the game the way it is supposed to be played. I think Nick does an outstanding job of setting that example for our team. He is going to be sorely missed next year.”

DeGallier has embraced the role as the Totems’ go-to-player on and off the field.

“It’s a lot of fun to be the role model for everybody. I try to do the right thing every day and play the right way,” DeGallier said. “I definitely want to go out with a bang and help this team win as much as I can. At the end of the day, it’s about working hard and having fun. That is why we’re out here. We want to do the best job we possibly can. Hopefully we can get that No. 1 seed out of the KingCo 2A and make it as far as we can in the playoffs. Hopefully we can make it to regionals.”

DeGallier said being left-handed gives him an advantage at the plate and on the mound.

“Being a lefty is pretty rare in this league (KingCo 2A/3A Division) because not a lot of guys are lefties. It’s just a different look than guys are used to and makes things easier for me,” he said.

DeGallier is the Totems’ ace on the hill.

“He’s very effective on the mound. He doesn’t necessarily throw very hard but he throws strikes. He can throw three pitches for strikes, which is very effective for us,” Smith said.

DeGallier said his velocity is in the mid-70s and his best pitch is his two-seam fastball.

“Nick is a competitor and has been really fun to coach these last couple of years. Anything you ask him to do, he is going to do it,” Smith said. Every kid that has come up through this (baseball) program knows who Nick DeGallier is. They know that’s the guy they want to follow or try to emulate their game after.”

Shaun Scott: 425-453-5045; sscott@bellevuereporter.com