Senior Levi Nyberg rounds 2nd base during the game against McClatchy. Photo by Rick Sloan

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - For senior pitcher/infielder Levi Nyberg, being a standout on the Cordova Lancers was always the goal. Since his days playing in Rancho Cordova Little League, Nyberg saw himself one day playing for one of the most storied programs in the area. True to form, Nyberg not only achieved his goal, he knocked it out of the park. Now coming down the stretch of his final season for Big Red, the do-it-all team leader is reflective on his time at Cordova while also keeping his eye on the ball with the Lancers focused on a playoff push.

A four-year varsity player and multi-time All-League performer, Nyberg has earned the reputation as being one of the hardest workers on the team. When your best player is also your hardest worker, that sets a standard for the rest of the team to meet. For Cordova Head Coach Scott Ahlstrom, having Nyberg as the example of what a Lancer is supposed to look like has been great. 

Senior Levi Nyberg gets a base hit and drives in a run against El Camino. Photo by Rick Sloan

“I’m extremely proud of him,” Ahlstrom said. “But with him I don’t want to say it’s expected, but it is just the way he is. I know what I’m getting every day, and I know how he’s going to be. I know every day he’s a little bit better of a player and a person, which is great to see. It’s always an upward trajectory with him.”

From the plate, Nyberg has led the Lancers in multiple categories during the past two seasons including batting average, on base percentage, stolen bases and doubles. On the mound, Nyberg recorded a 0.98 ERA (earned run average) in 2024 and a 1.67 ERA in 2025. He has also ranked near the top of the team in strikeouts each season. This spring, Nyberg is second in ERA at 1.99 while leading the team in appearances. Offensively, he ranks in the top three of every major category. 

Senior Levi Nyberg catches a pop fly in foul territory against McClatchy. Photo by Rick Sloan

But now with the second half of the Metro League slate set to begin for the Lancers when they go on the road to face McClatchy on Wednesday, April 15, Nyberg is trying to keep his eyes on the prize with a postseason berth within reach in his final season with the team. Even so, he can’t fully block out the thoughts of his senior season coming to a close in the coming weeks. 

“You try not to think about things that are outside the game,” Nyberg said. “But obviously it’s still on your mind, you can’t forget about that stuff. Definitely want to make your last ride end on a good note.”

Nyberg stated that making the playoffs and winning in the postseason is his current focus and short-term goal, but the American River College commit also has a long-term plan involving the game he loves. He intends on playing well at ARC and later transferring to a four-year university, with the dream of playing in the major leagues one day. 

Senior Levi Nyberg delivers the pitch against Destiny Christian Academy. Photo by Rick Sloan

“I want to play baseball for as long as I can,” Nyberg said. “Baseball is a mindset, it’s a job and it’s my life. You can make it be what you want it to be if you work hard enough.”

According to his coach, if he continues to show the same characteristics that he has displayed in the past four years, Nyberg can achieve whatever he sets his mind to. 

“If he keeps grinding the way he grinds and gets better every day as a person and a player, the sky’s the limit for him,” Ahlstrom said.