Mitch Wagner missed a trip to the state baseball tournament with Kennedy High School this week, but he's found another ride to Principal Park in Des Moines.

He's going as the starting third baseman for the Marion Indians.

Wagner transferred from Kennedy to Marion this past year as a junior, seeking new opportunities in sports and the classroom. He's delighted with the results.

"Academically, it's a smaller school and smaller class sizes. I thought that would be a good situation for me," he said. "And sports-wise, just an opportunity to play as a junior."

Wagner was ineligible for sports for the first 90 days of the 2010-11 school year as a transfer student, causing him to miss part of the basketball season, but he found a role as a reserve guard and helped the Indians make the state basketball tournament.

He's been the starting third baseman for the baseball team all season and is hitting a solid .375 as the Indians prepare for the opening round of the Class 3A tournament in Des Moines on Tuesday. Marion (26-16) will play Storm Lake (26-8) at noon.

Wagner ranks in the top 2 or 3 for the Indians in batting average, home runs (4), RBIs (39), hits (54), doubles (8), triples (5), walks (23) and stolen bases (10 for 10).

"He's been a pleasant little surprise," Marion Coach Steve Fish remarked. "We're happy to have him."

Wagner stands 5-foot-8 and 150 pounds, but he's shown good power for a relatively small player. "Everybody always says that," he said with a grin. "I try to have quick hands. My philosophy is just to hit the ball hard."

Wagner has made 18 errors, matching the most on the team, but feels more comfortable now at the hot corner. He was a middle infielder all his life until enrolling at Marion, where the Indians have Zach Nielsen and Kasey Semler as their all-conference double-play combination.

Trev Biery played third base for the Indians last season, but he moved to first base this season after shoulder surgery. That opened a spot for Wagner.

"I've never played third base before," he said. "I always played short or second base.

"In the beginning of the year it was a little bit of a transition. I had my fair share of errors, but I feel pretty comfortable now.

"You get those hot shots. Those one-hoppers surprise you," he said. "You have to be ready."

All the angles are different at third base for throws, relays, cutoffs, bunt plays, stolen bases and popups. Sometimes, Fish notices Wagner "drifting" toward shortstop when he should be positioned closer to the line.

"The other day it looked like he was moving back to shortstop," Fish said, smiling. "We have to reel him in sometimes."

Fish said he's had a few transfers from bigger schools over the years, noting every situation is different. He knew Wagner was a good player in the Kennedy feeder system, but did not know him personally prior to this year.

"I knew he played on some good Little Cougar teams. I knew that part," he said. "But you have to be cautious, because you don't know why people are changing."

Fish said the transition has gone smoothly. In fact, he said Nielsen and Semler helped Wagner feel welcome as a member of the infield and a member of the club. Nielsen and Semler are seniors, so Wagner might have a chance to change spots next year.

Wagner was blocked at Kennedy, which had Griffin Michael, Terrell Sykes and Devon Jacobus returning this season as starting infielders from their state championship club.

Wagner was one of the top players on Kennedy's sophomore team last season. He wasn't sure what to expect when he left his friends at Kennedy and transferred to Marion.

"It was definitely a different transition, but everyone welcomed me," he said. "The move was a lot easier than I thought.

"All the teachers and coaches were all new to me at first, but a couple of days later it seemed like I'd known them for awhile. Everyone has been very kind to me."

Wagner went 4-for-4 when the Indians rallied to beat Williamsburg, 6-5, in the Class 3A substate finals last Wednesday. He got the assist on the final out of the game, retiring a batter at first base with the tying run on second.

"It felt good," he said. "I was just trying to do whatever I could."

Kennedy will face Fort Dodge in the opening round of the Class 4A state tournament Wednesday night, about 30 hours after Marion meets Storm Lake in the 3A quarterfinals Tuesday afternoon. Wagner said he's glad the Cougars made the tournament again after winning the 4A title in 2010.

"We do have a lot of memories together. Yeah, I think about them," he said. "I talk to them once in awhile and wish the best for them. I like them making it to state, and I'm going to make the most of my opportunity to go to state here."