9-Innings Double Play

Photo Courtesy Michigan State Athletics

For those familiar with the Buckeye Nine, when I get the chance I ask 9 questions to a player, writer, contributor, that they answer in a series called 9-Innings. With Michigan State reaching their first Big Ten Tournament since 2004, and just the 8th appearance in school history, The Buckeye Nine sought to give just a bit more and give some much deserved credit to the Michigan State program.

The Buckeye Nine was able to catch up with two of the Spartans tri-captains, senior pitcher Nolan Moody, and Senior catcher/DH Eric Roof. Moody a senior RHP from East Lansing, is the teams Friday night starter and made national headlines with the no-hitter he through April 4th against Northwestern. Moody received National Player of the Week honors form Louisville Sluggerfor the performance and the solid pitching didn't stop there. With a 6-4 record and 4.04 ERA, while recoring 52 strikeouts, Moody anchors a Spartan pitching staff that ranks third in the Big Ten in team pitching.

Just as Moody leads the Spartan pitchers, Roof is the driving force behind the Spartans at the plate, both offensively and defensively as the teams primary catcher. On the season Roof is leading Michigan State batters with a .339 batting average, the mark jumps to .349 in Big Ten play. Roof has 5 home runs, 2 triples, 13 doubles, and a team high 37 RBI.

Thanks to the two for taking the time to supplement the Buckeye Nine's coverage of the Big Ten Tournament.


1st Innings

B9: First, you're from East Lansing can you tell us what it means to be able to play for Michigan State and be a part of the hometown team?

Moody: Playing for Michigan State is an unbelievable opportunity that I feel very lucky to have gotten to do. I grew up rooting for MSU and its not very often people get to play for the school they cheered for their whole life so its really special to me that I am able to do it.

B9: First, you're playing on a team with your brother, sophomore Jonathan, was it something you grew up dreaming out, what has the last 2 years been like?

Roof: Actually I've played with my brother all my life. I'm from a small town and small high school so we played together for three or four years then. But it has been a sweet experience and has been cool to watch him grow in two years.


Second Inning

B9: Were you expecting to enter the season as the teams ace?

Moody: Yes. Coach Boss asked me in the fall if I would start, I of course really wanted to (as all pitchers do) and he told me he wanted and expected me to be the ace from then on.

B9: You were drafted last year in the 46th round by the Detroit Tigers, what were the reasons you turned down a chance to go pro and return for Michigan State?

Roof: Well I came back to finish off my degree and to use another year to get better all around.


Third Inning

B9: As two of three tri-captains what goals did you have set for yourselves going into the 2009 season?

Moody: Personally I did not set a specific goal other than to pitch as well as I could. As a team we had 4 goals. Win at home, win against in state teams, make the conference tournament and get a ring. (regular season or tourney) So far we are 3 for 3 and hoping to make a run at it this weekend.

Roof: Obviously our main goal was to get to the Big Ten Tourney, win the Big Ten, win all the home games, and win all the in-state series.

9 up 9 down

B9: The new McLane stadium was finished this season. What is it like moving in and playing in the new stadium? Has the atmosphere changed?

Moody: Playing at McLane Stadium was something me and all the seniors felt really fortunate to have been around just long enough to get to do. The atmosphere is very different with a brand new stadium. More people came out to watch, we won there on a consistent basis and more fans got in to following our season and coming to our games. I think it made a big difference and is part of the reason why we played so well at home this year (15-4 at home) and certainly that contributes to our success in making the tournament

Roof: It has been awesome. It's also cool to play in a stadium with a lot of people and finally all those people are rooting for us. I think with the stadium sitting on top of the field really creates a home field advantage for us and it's unlike any other stadium. They are still fixing the outfield fence this summer so it will look even cooler this time next year.

Through 4

B9: Did the previous two seasons where Michigan State had a chance to qualify for the Big Ten Tournament in the final weekend before falling short, provide any offseason motivation?

Moody: It definitely is motivating when you get disappointed like that on the last weekend of the year two times in a row. You have a bad taste in your mouth and want to get rid of it. I think it made us want to get there even more each year.

Roof: I think it definitely did. When you work so hard to accomplish your goals and then fall short it makes you want to work twice as hard. So that the next time you have that opportunity you can capture them.

6th Inning

B9: The season got off to a rough start going 2-14 out of the gates. You guys have responded by finishing 21-15 since, what sparked the change? Is anything different now than at the start?

Moody: I think our season turned around on the Friday game at our place vs. U of M. We erased two 2-run deficits in the 9th and 10th innings to win. I think we realized we were a pretty good team and started gaining confidence in ourselves which really got the bats going and we rounded in to a very good overall team from the pitching hitting and defensive aspects.

Roof: I think everything is clicking for every guy. The more and more at-bats you get or more and more innings you pitch you start getting comfortable and also more confident. One person who has helped me out tremendously in the last month and a half has been Steve Shindler, third basemen AJ Shindler's dad. He has made some adjustments with my swing in the cages and told me some tips that I had never really noticed. He moved my hands back slightly and I think that has helped out my power lately.

7th Inning Stretch

B9: How is the team feeling and preparing for the Big Ten Tournament? Is there any pressure to win and advance to the NCAA's or are you guys relaxed and just having fun?

Moody: Our team is very excited for the Big Ten Tourney. I think everyone will go in loose and ready to play. We aren't supposed to win but I think our team believes we can so the only pressure we have will be the pressure we put on ourselves.

Roof: I think we have practiced extremely hard since the end of the season. Everyone has got the same goal in mind and are making sure we do everything we can to make that possible.

Last At-bat for the home team

B9: What has Head Coach Jake Boss Jr. in his first year as the Michigan State coach meant and brought to the team?

Moody: I can't say enough about how important coach Boss has been in the success of our team. He is a great coach and an even better man. He came in and gave guys confidence and the chance to play when they do the right thing and play hard. As a player its all you can ask for and we have responded really well to his coaching.

Roof: Coach Boss and the rest of the coaching staff has brought a great positive atmosphere to the program and I think you're starting to see it take off. They do a great job of coaching, get on you when they need to, and they are the first ones to tell you what a great job you did when you do something right. So it's nice to have coaches that are there for you and truly care about you and the rest of the team.

Closing it out

B9: In 5 words describe the no-hitter you threw against Northwestern.

Moody: Incredible day I'll never forget.

B9: In 5 words that describe the life of a catcher.

Roof: Extremely tough but (the) best position {sorry had to use 6}


Again thanks to Nolan and Eric for taking the time to sit down and answer the questions. Good Luck to them and the Spartans as they try to capture the first Big Ten Tournament in program history.