Riley

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

He loves to push himself with every offensive opportunity at the plate to be better than his last time. Defensively, whether he is on the mound or behind the plate, he looks forward to the challenge of getting a runner thrown out. The variety of positions and aspects of the game provide a constant opportunity for him to improve his abilities and learn to be better at it.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

Riley is driven by his favorite person in the world, his older brother. Despite their large age gap, they have spent their lives being each other’s biggest supporters. His brother has exemplified what it means to be fully dedicated to a sport, and he uses that experience to encourage, support, and guide Riley through all of his baseball endeavors. His brother remains very involved in Riley’s baseball career, and strives to pass along knowledge and life lessons to make him a well rounded athlete.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

This summer, we watched him make huge improvements despite suffering a UCL strain this past Fall. Even though he was out during the Fall and part of the Spring season, he didn’t give up when recovery seemed daunting. He stayed consistent with his recovery protocol, and showed his ability to be flexible as the plan needed to change. When he returned, his grit and dedication to the sport were on full display. He has achieved personal goals in both pitching and catching since coming back.