Grand Valley’s Adam Moodt simply enjoys playing baseball.
After the season the Mustangs senior just had there’s little wonder why.
Moodt batted cleanup for a GV team that advanced to the Division III state semifinal, was named a first-team All-Ohio selection at first base and was one of the top pitchers on the Mustangs’ 30-win squad.
So, it comes as no surprise that the standout player will be continuing his career at the collegiate level at the University of Mount Union next year.
“Location was a big draw for me,” he said. “It’s not too far away, but not too close either. The atmosphere is awesome. It’s one of those places, you’re just in awe of it when you’re there, that’s how incredible it is.”
Moodt, who was also a key component to the GV football team, said baseball was always his first love.
The two-sport start said an injury to his shoulder while scoring a touchdown in a win against rival Pymatuning Valley during football season sealed his decision.
“Baseball was always kind of the plan, my shoulder injury against PV put it in perspective; made me realize baseball is the best way to go,” he said. “I miss football already, but baseball has been my favorite since I was little.”
The lefty said the shoulder is healthy now and didn’t give him any problems during baseball season.
“It’s healed up now, the doctor told me it’ll give me problems at some point when I’m older probably, but I’m good now,” he said. “I separated it scoring against PV and they didn’t know that earlier I had broken my collarbone when I was younger and that never fully healed. So I kind of re-injured it. But it feels good now.”
The pitcher and first baseman for the Mustangs said the Purple Raiders are looking at him more as a pitcher next season.
While he said he’d prefer to see more time at first, he’ll happily play wherever they tell him.
“They said they’re looking at me more as a pitcher,” he said. “I’d like to play more first base, that’s where I grew up playing, but I’ll play anywhere they tell me to. It’ll be a pleasure just to play.”
After living in Orwell his whole life, Moodt said the small town feel of Alliance was a draw for him.
“I’m not a big city person,” he admitted. “I went to Ohio State once and it wasn’t for me. I’m more of a small town person. I thought Mount Union was a good size and has a good neighborhood feel to it.”
While most people know Mount Union for football, Moodt himself said that’s what he mainly knew the school for, he was impressed with the Purple Raiders baseball program.
“Last year I was at a showcase in Dayton and they called me,” he said. “All I’ve known about them is football, but then I talked to some friends who went and played there and had good things to say so I figured I’d try it.
“I watched the baseball team play and even though it’s a big football school, they do baseball well. They’re well coached and I think it’ll be a good situation for me.”
Moodt won’t be alone in going to Mount Union next year.
GV teammate and Star Beacon Ashtabula County Co-Player of the Year Mitchell Lake will also be a Purple Raider next year.
Moodt, who made sure to make it known that he chose Mount Union first, “that was me, I was there first,” he said laughing, is looking forward to continuing to play with Lake, also an All-Ohio selection.
“It’ll be cool to have a teammate there,” he said. “Just to have someone to talk to if you’re going through something. We’ve been playing together so long it should be fun.”
The son of Carl and Lisa Moodt gave credit to his parents for not only helping with his college decision, but helping shape him into the player he was able to become.
“They were totally helpful and made sure I knew that as long as I was happy they would support my decision,” he said. “As far as influences on baseball both my parents were important, no doubt. The coaches too for always telling my to stay with it and my buddies. They made it fun to play.”
Moodt, who said he plans to major in mechanical engineering or environmental science at Mount Union, said last season’s success still hasn’t sunk in.
While that may be the case, he is excited to start a new part of his baseball career.
“No, it really hasn’t sunk in yet, and I don’t think it will for quite sometime,” he said. “I miss it quite a bit. It’s all part of growing up, though. I just love playing and that why I’m going to keep playing next year. I don’t want it to end.
“It sucked when it ended this year. I’m excited for a new chapter in my life with guys that play and feel the same as I do.”
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