Senior spotlight: Kody Kauth enjoys breakout season for Pittsville baseball
PITTSVILLE - Kody Kauth was a good baseball player for Pittsville as a junior last season.
But it wasn't like opposing coaches felt the need to game plan around him during the course of a game.
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Coaches of teams on the Panthers' schedule are having to rethink that strategy. Kauth is in the midst of a monster senior season.
He has become a potent force at the plate, where he has been nearly impossible to get out, and on the mound. No one has scored an earned run against Kauth.
When he's not busy putting up zeroes on the scoreboard as a pitcher, Kauth is busy getting the job done behind the plate as a catcher.
"As our catcher, he works very hard behind the plate every pitch," Pittsville coach Justin Rayburn said. "This year, he has taken on a bigger role as one of our top pitchers as well.
"At the plate, he has been having a monster year and has shown so much improvement with his hands and his swing. He is one of our best hitters, especially with runners in scoring position."
All you have to do is take a look at the stat sheet for proof.
Through nine games, Kauth is batting .500 (15-for-30) with three doubles, a triple and a team-high 19 RBI. He also has scored 11 times.
Over the past couple of seasons he has worked hard on his approach at the plate. A different stance with his hands held lower has enabled Kauth to catch up with fastballs much better.
The strides he's made as a hitter are a source of pride for him.
"The highlight for my baseball career would be on how much I have improved as a player throughout the years," Kauth said. "My role is to be a good teammate and work hard on the mound and behind the plate."
As impressive as Kauth has been at the plate, the numbers are even more eye-popping on the mound.
Kauth owns a 3-0 record and has not given up an earned run in 15 ⅔ innings and has struck out 16 with only five walks.
The gaudy statistics are nice. But Kauth has earned the respect of his coach by the businesslike approach he takes to the game and his willingness to contribute however possible.
"Kody is one of those throwback kids. I could coach 100 kids like him," Rayburn said. "Kody is one of those guys that just shows up to play every game. He does anything we ask of him, and plays hard. He plays the game of baseball the way it should be played. He plays the game the right way."
Kroening recently took time to answer some questions from USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
What do your friends/teammates call you? Kody. Most call me Kauth, though.
What is something most people don’t know about you? I love to hunt.
What is your most memorable sports achievement? Well since I've been on varsity our team has been the regional champions four years in a row.
What is your most embarrassing sports memory? My most embarrassing moment was my freshman year. I was batting and I missed a batting sign. After coming back in from right field the head coach met me at the mound and just chewed me out in front of the entire crowd and then I was benched for the rest of the game.
What is your sports superstition or ritual? Never wearing batting gloves. In addition, this year I have some other teammate wear my Oakley sunglasses.
Which teammate will you miss the most and why? Honestly, I don't have just one person I'll miss. I'll miss every single player on the team.
Who is your celebrity crush? Scarlett Johansson.
What is your dream vacation? My dream vacation is to go to Alaska for a summer.
What is your dream career? My dream career is become a dairy farmer.
FAVORITES
Sport: Baseball.
Pro/college player: James Harden.
Musical artist or group: I am a huge '80s and '90s country fan through and through.
TV show: "Royal Pains."
Movie: "Shooter."
Twitter, Instagram or Facebook: Facebook.
What is your favorite meal: Beef stroganoff or BBQ chicken pizza.