In the coming weeks, we will be highlighting senior student-athletes from all spring sports whose seasons – and in many cases careers – were cut short due to cancellation of competition across all sports in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. On March 30, the NCAA Division I Council voted to extend the eligibility for spring-sport student-athletes and allow schools to provide an additional season of competition. While some will take advantage of the additional season, others will graduate and move on to their next chapter in life, bringing an untimely end to their athletic careers.
Mark Moyer began his career with
@UCABearBaseball back in 2016, playing in just one game before taking a medical redshirt. Since then, he has amassed 17 wins – which ranks behind only
Cody Davenport, Conner Gilmore, Tyler Gray and Bobby Pritchett in the program's Division-I era – with a pair of complete games, three saves, and 150 strikeouts. In the shortened 2020 season, Moyer was off to a 2-0 start with a career-best 3.20 ERA, and had recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts on March 1 in a win over SIU Edwardsville. For the season, Moyer averaged 11.4 Ks per 9, and had fanned 17 in 12.2 innings in his final two starts of the season.
What is your major?
PETE – Physical Education Teacher Education
What are your future plans/career goals?
To become a coach
What were your thoughts when you found out the season was being canceled?
I was heartbroken. For not just me but the seniors who knew they wouldn't come back. We worked our butts off just to have it taken from us.
What led you to UCA?
I knew a lot of guys coming plus I'm from Russellville so it's close enough for my parents to come watch, and they gave me an offer I couldn't resist.
What has been your favorite thing about your time here?
I'd have to say the brothers I have gotten. We come from all different backgrounds and it awesome for us to work hard together and achieve the same goals. Not to mention we have a great coaching staff who care about more than just winning.
What is one of your best memories from your career?
In high school we won state so that's something I'll never forget. Here at UCA I'd have to say
Gavin Stone's no-hitter. It was the first one I've personally ever been a part of, so it was sweet.
What is one of the most embarrassing moments from your career?
I got put in timeout during practice because I was talking too much - shocker I know, lol
Who is someone who has had a major impact on you – be it in your athletic career or personally?
In my personal life it'd have to be my father. He showed me what it's like to work hard and never give up. And for my career side it'd have to be my high school pitching coach Caleb Powers. He's like my older brother and he saw what I could be and pushed me every single day to be my best.
What is your favorite activity or best talent outside of your sport?
My best talent is making people laugh but I love to hunt and fish.
If you had to be quarantined with four celebrities, who would they be?
1. Kevin Hart – he's the funniest man alive and he's little like me
2. Leonardo DiCaprio – he's my favorite actor so I know he will have some good stories
3. Mike Trout – he's the best baseball player ever
4. Donald Trump – who wouldn't wanna hang out with the president??
If you were going to be isolated in your house for a month, what are the first three items you'd make sure to grab at the store?
Meat, water, candy
One musical artist you'd recommend to everybody?
Luke Combs for sure
What's a show you're currently watching, or have recently?
The Blacklist
You have the power to make one law – what would it be?
You have to retake a driving test once you pass the age limit of 65.
If you could give your 10 year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Keep dreaming big and know that God has a plan for everything!
Previous Senior Spotlights:
Callie Kennemore, Cheer
Kayla Crutchmer, Softball
Paul Rouse, Baseball
