Athlete of the week: Steve Moyers

EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) - The first 22News athlete of the week for the spring is a pitcher. Borrowing a line from the actor who played the greatest pitcher in movie history (Charlie Sheen as Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn).  "Duh winning."  That's what East Longmeadow's Steve Moyers does. The junior is 15-1 in his high school career and Moyers is the 22News athlete of the week.

"Go out throw strikes and let the defense do the work", that's Moyers plan on the mound and he does just that.  

Moyers averages more than a strikeout an inning, but he also keeps his pitch count very low.  This allows him to throw more innings.

"He knows that there's times that he needs a strikeout and there's also times that if he makes them (the opposition) put the ball in play his teammates can make the plays behind him", says East Longmeadow baseball coach Kevin Magee.

Moyers is no slouch in the field either. Playing left field when he doesn't pitch, Moyers has made the highlight reel a few times. He can also handle the bat and will be expected to do so in the middle of the Spartans lineup this season. His junior season is big for recruiting as well and Moyers prepared all winter long.

"I threw once a week, hit once a week and I tried to get over to 'Extra Innings' in Agawam, almost every day", says Moyers.

The Spartans junior played deep into the summer as well, helping East Longmeadow's Legion team win the state title and finish one win away from going to the World Series.

"It's unbelievable the fact that he's going into his junior year", says Magee.  He continues, "The kid has been so phenomenal the past two years and we still have two years with him so that's the real exciting part about it."

That starts on Friday. Coach Magee told 22News Moyers will get the ball when the Spartans are scheduled to open their season against Holyoke

"I'm real excited, can't wait", says Moyers.