Amya Zapien is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Corona Del Sol High School for AZPreps365.com.

Baseball has always shared a deep connection with faith.

There are players who turn to prayer and spiritual beliefs to help navigate the highs and lows of the game.

From pregame prayers to quiet moments on the mound, faith provides a sense of purpose and calmness in an unpredictable sport. Trusting in God’s plan allows players to stay focused no matter what challenges they face on the field.

At Corona Del Sol High School, the baseball field sits directly in front of a church — a constant reminder of faith’s presence in the game. Many players who once took the field for Corona Del Sol carry their beliefs with them beyond high school, using their faith as a foundation for both athletic and personal growth.

Senior pitcher Ryan Caruso credits his ability to stay calm under pressure to his strong faith. He believes trusting in God allows him to face challenges on the mound with confidence and peace.

“My faith helps me stay composed in high-pressure situations by knowing that I have nothing to worry about and that everything will be OK,” Caruso said.

Before every game, he says a prayer asking for safety and confidence for his teammates.

Junior infielder David Moss echoes a similar sentiment.

“It doesn’t matter what happens in the game, because at the end of the day, I know God is in control,” Moss said.

He added, “He knows I want to honor Him and share Christ through baseball. Knowing God is the only and most important thing.”

Setbacks are part of the game—from injuries to losing streaks—and faith plays a key role in helping players handle adversity. Caruso said he relies on God to stay positive after rough outings.

“As long as I did my best, then I can trust God to take the rest from there,” he said.

He believes everything happens for a reason, allowing him to learn from failures rather than dwell on why they happened.

Moss experienced this firsthand when he suffered a fractured jaw and concussion last fall.

“I gave it to God,” Moss said. “I continued to pray and to go to church and my youth group, knowing that God was in control.”

Faith-based routines help athletes prepare mentally and spiritually. Moss listens to worship music before games and turns to the Elevation Worship song "Trust in God."

Each game, he writes “Philippians 4:4-9” on his wrist to remind himself to stay calm and trust God’s peace. The passage speaks about rejoicing, not being anxious, and relying on God’s peace to guard one’s heart and mind.

Caruso said he also uses prayer to reset after tough performances.

“I use faith to stay mentally strong during the ups and downs by trusting that the Lord has a plan and knowing that when things are tough, it’s to build me to be stronger,” he said.

To Moss, baseball is about more than winning and losing.

“My faith has influenced my approach to baseball because I play with the main goal to honor God,” Moss said. “I love baseball, but God is the center of my life.”

Caruso said growing up has changed his approach to the sport.

“I used to think I could do things on my own, but every day I give thanks to God because I know without him this would never be possible,” he said.

Both Caruso and Moss see their faith as a lifelong guide, shaping their mindset and approach to baseball. Whether it’s slumps, injuries, or pressure-packed moments, they find peace in trusting God’s plan.

Moss reflects on his journey with his father in mind and a promise to pursue professional baseball.

“My goal is to make that promise come true,” Moss said. “But I also know that baseball is small compared to God and eternity.”

He added, “So I have my goals, but in my heart, honoring Jesus is the biggest goal.”