Alex Moffatt. Photo courtesy of SSU Sports
By Davonte Peterson (Staff Reporter)
It goes without debate, being a multi-sport athlete is becoming without question one of the more typical standards among adolescent athletes. However, it is quite seldom that you see athletes receive the opportunity to be multi-sport competitors in college. Shawnee students Ethan and Alex Moffatt are now a part of that unique, special group.
Ethan Moffatt (junior) and Alex Moffatt (sophomore) are both a part of the SSU men’s basketball team. Although the Moffatts are in the midst of their basketball season, an opportunity arose for them to play baseball competitively.
“I would usually mess around with Coach Moore when I would see him,” Alex said, speaking on how their opportunity came about. “One day I was talking a little trash to him about letting me pitch and he took me up on it and let us throw in front of the gun.” Coach Moore was apparently pleased with what he saw. This spring is the first time the Moffatts will be playing baseball since they both played at their high school, Fayette Academy in Somerville, Tennessee.
“I was very excited to be given the opportunity to play baseball again,” Ethan said. “With basketball, there is more pressure because that is what I initially came here for,” he explained, “but with baseball, it’s for fun and there is not as much pressure for me like there is with basketball.”
Though they have been away from it for a few years, baseball is something the Moffatts know well. Growing up, they were always involved with and around baseball.
Ethan Moffatt, photo courtesy of SSU Sports
“Our dad was definitely our biggest influence,” Ethan and Alex said. The Moffatt’s father, Peter, coached their teams while they were growing up and was the sole influence for them embracing the game of baseball.
Eager to shake off the cobwebs and get back on the field, the lingering question for the Moffatts is how do they plan to manage time with baseball while they are both in the midst of their basketball season as well?
“It’s actually not that bad right now,” said Ethan. “Coach Moore is really understanding and knows that basketball comes first.” The Moffatts generally work two days per week with the baseball team on Sundays and Mondays, while the rest of the week is dedicated to basketball. On Mondays, the brothers go to basketball first thing in the morning and then they go to baseball after their classes.
Come season time, the Moffatts hope to work their way into the baseball lineup and help contribute to the team in any way that they can.
And of course, when asked about their team goals for the upcoming season, like most competitors, they replied, “We want to win.”
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