Spring-break bonding trip boosts Moeller baseball

KENWOOD – Though their trip through the Atlantic Coast Conference netted just one day of baseball, Moeller High School came back home from their spring fling to the Carolinas with a positive bonding experience and a lifetime of bus stories.

“We ended up getting in two of three playing a doubleheader,” coach Tim Held said. “We got three outs on Monday before it rained and seven outs in on Tuesday before it rained. We got to visit three of the big universities down there in N.C. State, Duke and North Carolina.”

On April 16, the Crusaders defeated Orange and Garner high schools in North Carolina, 4-0 and 6-3. Along the way, there were sightseeing tours of stadiums where the North Carolina State Wolfpack, Duke University Blue Devils and University of North Carolina Tar Heels play.

Held’s squad routinely features several collegiate players, including some who gather Division I offers before ever stepping on to a varsity field.

“It really opened the eyes of those that might be able to play at that level,” Held said. “Unfortunately, it was a dead period for recruiting so they weren’t able to talk to any coaches. ...A couple of Moeller alums that played down there took us around.”

As the Crusaders eye the remainder of their Greater Catholic League and non-conference menu, many names are different from last year’s state title team. Zach Logue, Gus Ragland and Nick Voss logged key innings last season and Riley Mahan is in his third year starting in the infield.

The rest of the Moeller gang are looking to make their own names and pitcher Joe Vransesic is off to big start. The junior was leading the GCL in hitting at presstime while topping the strikeout leaders on the bump.

“He’s done a great job on the mound,” Held said. “With some injuries we had, we had to throw him into the batting order and he’s produced from day one. Now he’s batting cleanup.”

A back injury has limited junior Grant Macciochi’s activity, but he’s expected back and junior infielder Kyle Dockus has stepped up. At second, Kent State commit Josh Hollander is turning heads.

“He’s hitting the ball really well,” Held said. “He’s going to end up being a two-year starter for us.”

Jordan Ramey is another Moeller junior in the lineup who is heading to the University of Cincinnati. Depending on the day, he bats either first or second or eighth or ninth (second lead-off).

The team is also full of seniors, like third baseman Cole Proia, who have bided their time and are looking for their own niche. Then there’s the junior varsity team that could defeat many varsity squads.

“They want to prove they can add to that Moeller tradition and play for a state championship,” Held said. “We had (Zach) Logue and Ragland back on the mound and Riley (Mahan) in the infield. The rest of the seniors didn’t get a ton of time in 2013 and they want to prove they can win. The JVs know they need to be ready because we’ll have a challenging schedule next year.”