The Iowa State baseball team has had its struggles on the field this year, but a certain left fielder is having a career season.

Junior Aaron Runk, a Big 12 honorable mention all-conference selection as a freshman and a second-teamer last season, has continued to wreak havoc on the diamond this year.

The Stillwater, Minn., native has a wicked .424 batting percentage good enough to top ISU hitters and be among the leaders in the Big 12 Conference all season.

Although baseball teams usually have their best hitters in the No. 3 spot in the lineup, Runk does his damage in the leadoff spot for ISU, which is a role he likes.

“I feel the most comfortable there and including high school, that is where I have hit mostly,” Runk said.

“I try to use my speed and not necessarily improve my power numbers but improve my on-base percentage,” he said.

Runk has not had a problem getting on base.

He has a team-high .510 base percentage, 18 stolen bases and has collected three first inning leadoff home runs.

Head coach Lyle Smith is not surprised by Runk’s great on-base percentage.

“He can bunt, steal and is extremely strong for his size,” he said. “He can handle off-speed pitches just as well as fastballs. His good discipline is critical in regards to hitting.”

Runk is not the only athletic member in his family.

His brother Adam is a defensive back on the ISU football team. Aaron says that they have supported each other in their respective sports.

“We used to be competitive in high school when we were in the same sports,” he said.

“Now we have sort of gone our separate ways, so we pull more for each other,” he said.

Runk and his teammates have been competitive but winless in conference play this season.

However, Runk still has post-season aspirations.

“We want to make the Big 12 post-season tournament,” he said. “We have struggled, but we are still not out of it yet.”

Runk still has one more season left, but he and his coach consider him one of the team leaders.

Runk does not get very excited on the field and instead, as he puts it, tends to “lead by example.” Runk also has met his coach’s expectations.

“He has a good attitude and is one of the key guys on the team,” Smith said.

“He has done everything we expected and much more,” he said.