Heading into the record books after this season, and bringing one of the most unique baseball records back to State Center, is West Marshall graduating senior catcher Cody Braddy.

The Trojans’ rock at the backstop had a transformational senior campaign, emerging as a leader on the diamond and in the dugout after being in and out of the lineup the first three years of his high school career. In fact, West Marshall head coach Jerod Brown said Braddy had single-digit attempts at the plate before his senior season.

It made his record-breaking season at the plate all the more impressive — and not just because he hit .361 and drove in 19 runs, but because he reached base 29 times thanks to hit-by-pitches. His feat smashed the previous state record of 25 HBPs. It was held by four players — Lance Wright of Council Bluffs St. Albert in 2018, Wes Edwards of Vinton-Shellsburg in 2016, Blake Heitmeier of Mount Pleasant in 2007 and Nate Edwards of Vinton-Shellsburg in 2006.

Brown called Braddy’s historic mark an achievement built on unselfishness.

T-R PHOTO BY ROSS THEDE - West Marshall senior Cody Braddy is congratulated by head coach Jerod Brown after being hit by a pitch during the Trojans’ Class 2A district final baseball game against Pleasantville on Saturday night in State Center. It was the 29th time this season Braddy reached base after being plunked.

“It’s kind of an obscure record, in some respects,” Brown said. “At the same time, I think it’s something that’s really selfless. It’s doing what’s best for the team to help the team win. To score runs offensively, you have to get on base and that can come in a variety of ways. This is one of the ways to do it. It’s not usually as sexy or given notoriety as other ways, but it works and it helps the team.”

Braddy said it wasn’t his plan at the beginning of the season to make HBPs his calling card. But early in the year, the team’s struggles with getting batters on base with consistency necessitated a different approach at the plate.

Brown and the Trojans have often discussed the need to have a positive approach and one that’s adaptable to each at-bat. In Braddy’s case, he said he isn’t always looking to get hit by a pitch when he steps to the plate. But at the same time, he certainly doesn’t shy away from it. Even when the count is full.

“‘It’s just gonna hurt for a sec,’ that’s what I told myself.” Braddy said. “It’s a way to get on base, it’s just like hitting a single.”

After his approach evolved and the HBPs started coming, the Trojans began to think he had a good shot at breaking the then-school record of 14 set by Cody Burns in 2014. He tied the record against Nevada on June 21. He then broke it with two more in a loss to Greene County on June 23.

With the school record broken, he set his sights on getting into the state record book, as 18 would be enough to make it into the IHSAA’s season bests book. He reached 21 by the Fourth of July, and by then the state record was firmly within reach.

During his chase of the record, the Trojans continued to play strong baseball and fought near the top of the Heart of Iowa Conference. After each HBP, he would be subbed off for a courtesy runner. As he jogged off the field, Brown would reach out and shake his hand, congratulating him on a new school record (and later after setting the state record). It was not only a lighthearted moment, but one that underscored the importance of Braddy’s achievement to Brown and to the team.

Owen Siegert said Braddy’s year has been a big boost for the team.

“We’ve always talked about how big of a step he’s taken from junior to senior year,” Siegert said. “He’s letting people see that if you don’t play a lot [early on], you’ve still got a chance, always.”

After getting hit three times against GMG, he tied the state record against Don Bosco on July 7.

The next night against Ogden, he not only got the record-breaking 26th — he got his 27th as well, making history in style. In postseason play, he added two more to reach 29.

In the first game of the postseason against East Marshall, he also reminded others he had more to offer at the plate than HBPs, belting a three-run double to break open the game in a 10-0 win for the Trojans.

The Trojans lost to Pleasantville 4-3, ending a very positive season on a dour note. As for Braddy, he ends his West Marshall career with a bit of history — history he’s fine being remembered for.

“It’s so fun to think about that,” Braddy said. “I never thought it would come to that, so it was really fun to do.”