May 25, 2017 at 5:43 p.m.
Moser's confidence has helped lead Jay
Line Drives
A little confidence can work wonders.
Max Moser admitted he tried too hard during his sophomore season.
As a first-year varsity player, he was getting acclimated to a new position.
He had never played third base — the hot corner — before.
At the dish, he was doing anything he could to get a hit, sometimes chasing pitches well outside the zone.
His stats didn’t necessarily show signs of struggle, though.
His .328 batting average was third-best on the team. His on-base percentage of .512 trailed only Jacob Geesaman (.551). He walked 17 times, compared to 13 strikeouts, and had a quality at bat 53.8 percent of the time he stepped into the batter’s box.
(A quality at bat is any at bat of three pitches after two strikes, an at bat of six or more pitches, an extra-base hit, a walk or a sacrifice.)
Statistically speaking, he had a good year.
A year later, as the Jay County High School baseball team enters Friday’s sectional semifinal game, Moser has been a key reason the Patriots went 15-5 during the regular season, which included a 12-game winning streak.
“Max works extremely hard,” said JCHS coach Lea Selvey, whose team meets sectional host Yorktown in the semifinal at approximately 7:30 p.m. Friday. “He’s made himself into a really good baseball player.”
Batting in the No. 5 spot, Moser leads the team with a .485 batting average. His 32 hits and on base percentage of .544 are also tops for the Patriots, as is his on-base-plus-slugging percentage (1.15).
He is second in doubles (five), RBIs (22) and runs (18).
Without revealing who owned those stats, senior captain Jacob Geesaman was presented with Moser’s numbers. Geesaman knew precisely, with no hesitation, who they belonged to, and stressed the importance of his junior teammate.
“He’s meant a lot,” he said. “He’s a guy that can come through when we need him.”
Both Selvey and Geesaman have noted the key component for Moser’s surge as a junior.
Confidence.
“I think he’s more confident in his ability,” Geesaman said. “He’s an upperclassmen now so he knows he can do it. He could do it last year, but this year he just has the confidence.”
Selvey elaborated a bit more.
“First of all, he’s bigger and stronger than last year,” he said. “That comes with age, but the work he’s put in, obviously you can see that.
“I think the biggest thing is, you watch him defensively, he thinks he can get everything … His work ethic is unbelievable. His attitude is unbelievable. He’s done a fantastic job at making himself a better player.”
Those three attributes — hard work ethic, positive attitude and confidence — have paid off extremely well for Moser and the Patriots.
Aside from the occasional American flag-themed socks and colorful arm sleeves, Moser is not a flashy player. He grinds. He takes his hacks in the batting cage. He does what he needs to for his Patriots, all of which translates to perhaps the most impressive stat he holds.
Moser has hit safely in each of the last 17 games. He has a hit in 19 of the Patriots’ 20 contests, the only blemish an 0-for-2 effort in a 1-0 victory over Wapahani. But during that April 13 game, Moser walked, meaning he has reached base in every game for Jay County.
He’s the only player on the team who can say that.
“You always need base runners,” Geesaman said. “On-base percentage is probably one of the most important stats there is. Having him on base, especially with the other guys hitting the ball, it is big to score runs like that.”
But with every good athlete comes self criticism. While he acknowledges he’s done his part, he knows there are aspects of his game he can improve.
“For the most part I’ve done well,” he said. “I’ve left a lot of runners on base and I’ve struck out more than I’ve liked to.”
Moser has stranded 39 runners, which is tied for second on the team. His strikeout total (12) is one fewer than what he had as a sophomore, and he has walked eight fewer times than during his sophomore season.
“I’m happy with how I’ve played,” he said.
He has every right to be. The Patriots are winners of 12 of their last 14 games, and have a chance to make a deep tournament run after falling to Delta in the sectional final a year ago.
If Moser can extend his hitting streak and the Patriots continue to bat .353 as a team, they just might make it to the regional for the first time in more than a decade.
“He doesn’t take anything for granted,” Selvey said. “He’s a great leader. He’s a good kid. Glad to see him with the success he’s having.”
And Moser is quite brief in explaining his success this year and his approach for the tournament.
“Just keep hitting my pitch,” he said. “And when I get two strikes, just choke up and put the ball in play.”
It’s worked for 20 games. Why not six more?
Max Moser admitted he tried too hard during his sophomore season.
As a first-year varsity player, he was getting acclimated to a new position.
He had never played third base — the hot corner — before.
At the dish, he was doing anything he could to get a hit, sometimes chasing pitches well outside the zone.
His stats didn’t necessarily show signs of struggle, though.
His .328 batting average was third-best on the team. His on-base percentage of .512 trailed only Jacob Geesaman (.551). He walked 17 times, compared to 13 strikeouts, and had a quality at bat 53.8 percent of the time he stepped into the batter’s box.
(A quality at bat is any at bat of three pitches after two strikes, an at bat of six or more pitches, an extra-base hit, a walk or a sacrifice.)
Statistically speaking, he had a good year.
A year later, as the Jay County High School baseball team enters Friday’s sectional semifinal game, Moser has been a key reason the Patriots went 15-5 during the regular season, which included a 12-game winning streak.
“Max works extremely hard,” said JCHS coach Lea Selvey, whose team meets sectional host Yorktown in the semifinal at approximately 7:30 p.m. Friday. “He’s made himself into a really good baseball player.”
Batting in the No. 5 spot, Moser leads the team with a .485 batting average. His 32 hits and on base percentage of .544 are also tops for the Patriots, as is his on-base-plus-slugging percentage (1.15).
He is second in doubles (five), RBIs (22) and runs (18).
Without revealing who owned those stats, senior captain Jacob Geesaman was presented with Moser’s numbers. Geesaman knew precisely, with no hesitation, who they belonged to, and stressed the importance of his junior teammate.
“He’s meant a lot,” he said. “He’s a guy that can come through when we need him.”
Both Selvey and Geesaman have noted the key component for Moser’s surge as a junior.
Confidence.
“I think he’s more confident in his ability,” Geesaman said. “He’s an upperclassmen now so he knows he can do it. He could do it last year, but this year he just has the confidence.”
Selvey elaborated a bit more.
“First of all, he’s bigger and stronger than last year,” he said. “That comes with age, but the work he’s put in, obviously you can see that.
“I think the biggest thing is, you watch him defensively, he thinks he can get everything … His work ethic is unbelievable. His attitude is unbelievable. He’s done a fantastic job at making himself a better player.”
Those three attributes — hard work ethic, positive attitude and confidence — have paid off extremely well for Moser and the Patriots.
Aside from the occasional American flag-themed socks and colorful arm sleeves, Moser is not a flashy player. He grinds. He takes his hacks in the batting cage. He does what he needs to for his Patriots, all of which translates to perhaps the most impressive stat he holds.
Moser has hit safely in each of the last 17 games. He has a hit in 19 of the Patriots’ 20 contests, the only blemish an 0-for-2 effort in a 1-0 victory over Wapahani. But during that April 13 game, Moser walked, meaning he has reached base in every game for Jay County.
He’s the only player on the team who can say that.
“You always need base runners,” Geesaman said. “On-base percentage is probably one of the most important stats there is. Having him on base, especially with the other guys hitting the ball, it is big to score runs like that.”
But with every good athlete comes self criticism. While he acknowledges he’s done his part, he knows there are aspects of his game he can improve.
“For the most part I’ve done well,” he said. “I’ve left a lot of runners on base and I’ve struck out more than I’ve liked to.”
Moser has stranded 39 runners, which is tied for second on the team. His strikeout total (12) is one fewer than what he had as a sophomore, and he has walked eight fewer times than during his sophomore season.
“I’m happy with how I’ve played,” he said.
He has every right to be. The Patriots are winners of 12 of their last 14 games, and have a chance to make a deep tournament run after falling to Delta in the sectional final a year ago.
If Moser can extend his hitting streak and the Patriots continue to bat .353 as a team, they just might make it to the regional for the first time in more than a decade.
“He doesn’t take anything for granted,” Selvey said. “He’s a great leader. He’s a good kid. Glad to see him with the success he’s having.”
And Moser is quite brief in explaining his success this year and his approach for the tournament.
“Just keep hitting my pitch,” he said. “And when I get two strikes, just choke up and put the ball in play.”
It’s worked for 20 games. Why not six more?
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