DE PERE – The cliché states “actions speak louder than words.”

It’s a credo West De Pere senior center fielder Nick Pierre follows on the baseball field and off it.

As the only all-conference returner from last year’s WIAA Division 2 state championship team, the Phantoms center fielder has taken on the task of leadership by showing those around him the way.

“He leads by example with what he does on the field and off the field,” junior first baseman Jon Schlemmer said. “He’s a great guy.”

It’s a spot Pierre admittedly relishes in as he takes it upon himself to help a fresh crop of talented juniors step into the varsity limelight.

“The kids look up to you and you just want to be the best role model for them,” Pierre said. “You have to lead them and get them going. “

Pierre has settled into his spot at No. 3 in the West De Pere batting order right in front of Schlemmer, who bats cleanup.

 “He hits anything where it’s pitched,” Schlemmer said. “He’s the perfect No. 3 hitter for us. It’s nice to have him back this year after losing all those seniors last year.”

Pierre even played through a minor injury Thursday in West De Pere’s 11-7 Bay Conference win over Denmark, setting the tone for the rest of the team.

The victory also showed the Phantoms are capable of coming back in a game when, at times, things look down.

“You can never give up,” Pierre said the victory showed the team. “Especially in high school baseball, anything can happen. You just have to string a couple hits together and there your are right back in the game.”

With the Phantoms winning their fifth straight game Thursday, the team is certainly starting to believe and in the game of baseball that mental aspect could carry a team through some rough stretches of the season.