NH graduate Kevin Mooney has created a reputation nothing short of desirable for a freshman starting off in a notable school. Receiving a partial scholarship to play baseball at Division I University of Maryland, Mooney fails to disappoint coaches and teammates.

    Pitching for a total of 41 innings this past season, Mooney has been featured on ESPN3, ESPNU, and Comcastsports.net. His individual record was 3-2 where he declined to pull through for a win against George-Mason and UNC.

    “I really slipped up against George-Mason. We should have beaten them but everyone has their bad days. One bad game does not mean a bad season,” Mooney said on account of his final record.

    Altogether there are 15 pitchers on the team. Mooney had the second most innings out of the bullpen, which is rare for a freshman.

    “Playing D1 is pretty good. It’s a lot more challenging than high school,” Mooney reported.

    Juggling school work, baseball, and a social life is strenuous. In the fall the baseball team practices six times a week. They lift on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and condition on Tuesday and Thursday. In the spring they practice one day a week on Thursday and lift twice a week. During the season they have three weekend games and two week games on Tuesday and Wednesday.

    In the fall, the boys don’t travel which is easier to get school work done. In the spring, the boys have mandatory study hours in the hotel or on the bus in which the boys must sit together in silence and do whatever work they need to get done. Although this is a lot of time for a group of boys to be together, Mooney loves it.

    “Everyone got along great. We have to spend like 25 hours a week together so it’s crucial we get along well,” Mooney stated.

    Every summer the baseball boys are put into different summer ball leagues according to their coaches. Mooney was placed in the best collegiate league in the country, the Cape Cod baseball league, to play for the Falmouth Commodores starting on June 6.

    “I’m really proud that Kevin had such a great year at Maryland. It’s awesome to see an NHHS alumnus become successful in their goals,” senior Sam Verzi said.

    Although Mooney is always being congratulated on his work ethic and skill, he believes he has a lot to work for next year.

    “My goal is to be a weekend starting pitcher next year,” Mooney states.