Bluffton University checked all the boxes for Bellefontaine baseball standout Ethan Moore.
Moore recently made official his plan to continue his baseball career with the Beavers.
“It’s close to home and it just felt like a second home when I visited there,” said Moore.
“I really like their coaches and I just love the whole atmosphere there.”
Moore said he also strongly considered Defiance and Malone before deciding on Bluffton.
“I feel Bluffton is getting the complete package,” said Bellefontaine head baseball coach Mark Brunswick. “Ethan is the type of player college programs are looking for. They are getting a very good player, but more importantly they are getting a very good person.
He will be a success on the baseball field and also in the classroom.”
While Moore’s junior season was wiped out because of COVID, he put together a strong sophomore campaign, batting .311 with a team-high six doubles.
A middle infielder, Moore also started on the varsity team as a freshman.
“What stands out about Ethan is his baseball IQ and his leadership,” said Brunswick.
“Playing the middle infield for us, he is like the quarterback of our team.”
Playing college baseball has been on Moore’s radar for a long time.
“I am just happy for him to be able to achieve a longstanding dream,” said Brunswick.
“It’s fun to see a kid put the work in and make a commitment to reaching a goal of playing at the next level.”
When he gets to Bluffton, Moore said he wants to do whatever it takes to make an impact, whether that comes immediately or if he has to wait his turn.
“They have a lot of good players there already,” said Moore. “I just want to go in and work hard. If it works out that I get to play early, I will appreciate it. But I just want to do what I can to make a difference.”
Before he begins his college career, Moore has one more high school season with the Chiefs this spring.
“Our biggest goal is to work better together as a team,” said Moore. “We want to make some noise in the Central Buckeye Conference and also in the tournament.”