Tommy Shoaf, baseball
Tommy Shoaf has been recognized as the Carmichaels male representative in the “Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight” program in the high school spring sports season.
Shoaf is a four-year member of the Mikes’ baseball team and is currently the starting leftfielder.
Along with helping Carmichaels out in the field, Shoaf is also a viable contributor with the bat, as he is usually in the five-hole in the Mikes’ line-up and is counted on to drive in runs.
Shoaf explains that one of his biggest improvements when it comes to baseball is his offense.
“I have been more patient at the plate and cut down on my strikeouts,” Shoaf said. “I see better pitches and work the count. I’m trying to be more of a contact hitter this season.”
The Mikes have been a perennial playoff squad this past decade and Shoaf states that all has to do with the team’s chemistry and leadership.
“Carmichaels has had some great coaches over the years,” Shoaf said. “They set the table to be successful on the field. We have had some great leaders also on the team and it has really been fun to be a part of the program’s success over the last couple of seasons.”
Before their section game against Avella on Wednesday, Carmichaels carried a 4-1 overall record and was 1-0 in Section 1-A.
For his most memorable moment on the field, Shoaf has two memories that stick out for him.
“I think making the playoffs my freshman year was pretty special,” Shoaf said. “We started out pretty slow that year and then we finally came together at the end of the season to make the playoffs. Hitting my first home run was a pretty memorable moment as well. It was last season against California.”
Besides excelling on the baseball diamond, Shoaf is also a solid student in the classroom with a 3.2 grade-point average.
The “Centennial Chevrolet Scholar/Athlete Spotlight” program recognizes the top male and female student-athlete per high school sports season (fall, winter, spring) for the five Greene County schools.
The student-athletes are selected by the respective schools and submitted to the Greene County Messenger.