Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Gavin Mosbrucker, Havre North Stars

If the Havre North Stars American Legion Baseball team is going to end its state tournament drought anytime in the near future, it will need its current batch of young players to develop and develop quickly.

One of those players is Gavin Mosbrucker, who is in his second season of Legion baseball. So far this season, Mosbrucker has shown signs of coming of age, just like his team has with a 3-4 start and a 3-1 mark in the Northern A district heading into Tuesday's doubleheader against Lewistown.

Like many of his teammates, Mosbrucker had to spend last season getting used to hitting and pitching at the legion level. But seven games into his second year, he looks much more comfortable doing both. In a critical Northern A game last Saturday, Mosbrucker earned a six-out save against Fort MacLeod, as he helped preserve a one-run lead over two innings. He also helped close out the first game of the double dip, which Havre won by the score of 6-2.

Earlier in the season, Mosbrucker was given a chance to start, but ultimately lost the outing. It's also why he currently has an ERA in the double digits. But after some solid outings in relief recently, it looks like he may have found a home in the bullpen.

"I think closer is a good spot for him," North Stars head coach Dick Fuzesy said. "It is probably asking too much for him to be a starter, but he definitely gives us a couple of solid innings each time out."

And with the implementation of a pitch count and certain limitations on how pitchers are able to be used, a versatile hurler like Mosbrucker, who can pitch in closing situations, as well as in short or long relief, proves to be pretty valuable.

However, when it comes to improving, Mosbrucker has gotten better at the plate, just as much as on the mound. In fact, he has been one of the North Stars better hitters so far this season. His batting average of .444 (fourth-best on the team), along with his team-leading on-base percentage of .643, shows how productive he has been.

The junior-to-be at Havre High, who also plays varsity golf for the Blue Ponies, is just one of many players looking to take a big step in their develop, which will in turn, help the North Stars do the same as a team.

Following Havre's sweep of Fort MacLeod at Legion Field last Saturday, the North Stars left town to take on Lewistown in Northern A district doubleheader. The North Stars ended up dropping both games on the road in Lewistown by the scores of 11-1 and 9-7. Havre was also scheduled to play a doubleheader Monday night in Lethbridge, but it was postponed due to poor weather.

However, before the North Stars traveled to Lewistown, the Havre Daily News caught up with Mosbrucker for five questions.

HDN: So you have kind of turned into the team's closer. Is that a role that you relish?

Mosbrucker: "Oh yeah, I like it. Pitching is one of my favorite things to do, so I am just going to keep working hard at it."

HDN: What is your mindset when you are in tough save situation like you were against Fort MacLeod?

Mosbrucker: "It's tough, especially when they have guys on base. But you just have to focus on each pitch and try to get outs."

HDN: What is the biggest difference from your first season to this year?

Mosbrucker: "In the second year, you have kind of seen a lot of the kids from last year and what they do so you just have to learn from it."

HDN: In terms as a hitter what has been the biggest difference? How about pitching?

Mosbrucker: "Definitely speed. In the little leagues it's not very fast. But you do need to know the pitches, too. There are a lot more pitches to look out for. When you are pitching, you just have to throw as hard as you can and if they are hitting it, they are hitting it."

HDN: What are all your pitches and which is your favorite?

Mosbrucker: "I have a fastball and a curveball. I usually throw my fastball most of the time. I have a four-seam and a two-seam, but I usually run the two-seam."