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30 Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · SATURDAY, MAY 5, 2007 OAKVILLE CONNECTION: Pictured left to right, Oakville's Henry Duke, Chris Hayes and Tyler Moe have been key contributors to the Graceland University Yellowjackets baseball team. Oakville ballplayers head 900 miles to Graceland Infielder Moe, pitcher Hayes and utility man Duke making impact with Iowa school's baseball team By Robin Wark SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER hen Graceland University head baseball coach Brady McKillip starts filling out his lineup card, he knows one name that he can always jot down. For four straight years, McKillip has been able to pencil in Oakville's Tyler Moe and then move on to making other decisions about his lineup. Moe is one of only two players to start every game during their four-year careers at the private liberal arts university in Lamoni, Iowa. "Tyler is our starting third baseman and has played every game since coming to Graceland," McKillip said. "Tyler hits in our No. 3 hole and has been a great player and leader for us throughout the years." Lately, McKillip has been regularly scribbling two Oakville standouts into his lineup alongside Moe. Starting pitcher Chris Hayes and utility player Henry Duke are also enjoying successful seasons. The Oakville players are among the 16 Canadians on Graceland's 28-man roster. All but two of the Canucks are from Ontario and many knew each other before playing at Graceland. The local trio said that was one of the things that drew the players to the school. The fact that Graceland University competes in the Heart of America Athletic Conference was also a drawing card. "I knew that the Heart of America Athletic Conference had produced many drafted players, and it would be a great place to pursue playing professionally," Moe said. Moe respected by opponents During his four seasons, Moe has established himself as a presence for GU and in the conference. He has earned multiple allconference honours and team MVP awards. W Moe considers earning these awards the highlight of his GU tenure. "The best thing about these awards are that they're voted on by other players and coaches," said Moe. "Knowing that other people who play with and against you see the hard work and dedication I have put into being the "The best part of best college baseball player I can playing at GU is be is very gratify- the people. The ing and gives me relationships with the drive to keep my teammates getting better." and coaches have While earning those honours, had a major the third baseman impact on my life, has also earned which I will never his way into the forget." school's record books. On April Tyler Moe 15, Moe collected his 223rd hit to become the team's all-time leader in that category. In 2005, Moe broke school season records in batting average, hits (76), games played (57) and total bases (119). After 36 games this season, the 6-foot, 200-pound Moe was batting .311 with a .574 slugging percentage. He had driven in a team-high 32 runs and led or was tied for tops on the squad in home runs (six), triples (two) and doubles (10). "Tyler's greatest strengths are his hands," McKillip said. "He has tremendous hand strength that gives him the ability to hit the ball hard to all fields. He also has soft hands defensively that allow him to make some great plays at third." Off the field, Moe is on his way to graduating with a major in business administration with a marketing minor. When asked about what he will remember most about his time at GU, it was not a hit or grade that topped the list. "The best part of playing at GU is the people," he said. "The relationships with my teammates and coaches have had a major impact on my life, which I will never forget." Duke's versatility an asset While Moe has been a perennial starter, most often at third base, Duke has contributed in a variety of roles during his three years at GU. "Henry is a great all-around player for us," McKillip said. "His biggest asset is that he can play numerous positions for us. He has played left field, catcher, some third base and is our normal designated hitter right now." This season, after having played in 30 games and being a substitute in seven of them, he was batting .233 with six RBI and two home runs. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder had a memorable first year at Graceland University when he hit two homers in a game. They were the first dingers of his college career. From that year onward, Duke has enjoyed being part of the Yellowjackets. "The best part of playing baseball at Graceland is the competitive conference that we play in and the relationships you build on the team," he said. "Along with that, you learn more about baseball as a whole and that matures you as a player and a student." Although he is focused on this season, Duke is looking forward to the challenge of being a senior leader for the 2007-2008 campaign. "Next year, we will have many new players coming into Graceland to try and fill the spots of our seniors leaving this year," he said. "It will be another new experience for me coming back as a senior and leader for the younger guys, so hopefully I can help bring success back to the Graceland Yellowjackets baseball team." Duke is majoring in physical education and health with a minor in high school education. He is not exactly sure where he will end up in the future. "If baseball takes me further after college that would be amazing, but I would also love to teach and coach for younger students because I've had such a passion for it since elementary school," he said. Hayes established as ace Hayes has established himself as the Yellowjackets' No. 1 starting pitcher. This can be a daunting task, though McKillip has been pleased with the way Hayes has played. The coach noted Hayes' record (a 3-6 start to the season) does not show his overall value to the team. At that point, the 6foot-2, 215-pound right-hander led the team in innings pitched (56) and strikeouts (37), while his earned-run average was 4.98. "Chris Hayes' strengths are his ability to throw all of his pitches with command of the zone," McKillip said. "He allows his defense to help him out by putting the ball in play early and keeping his pitch count down." Hayes has also enjoyed life off the field in Iowa. At Graceland University's Lamoni campus, there are about 1,200 undergraduate students from 42 states and 31 countries. "The highlight of my time at Graceland has been the new people that I have met," Hayes said. "It is interesting to meet people from all over the world. It has been a great experience to be able to learn about different cultures other than my own." When he is finished playing at GU, Hayes plans on teaching at a high school. He is majoring in physical education and health.