Monigold continues Hiland baseball pipeline to Malone

Malone University has recently made a habit of investing in Hiland High School baseball players, and on Monday, Dec. 15, the Pioneers snagged one more masher from the Hawks.

Hiland senior Grady Monigold signed his letter of intent to attend MU and will join a host of other Hawks to play ball for the Pioneers next year. However, before that, he hopes to help his team become the first program in OHSAA history to win four consecutive state titles.

Winning those prior three has been a true team effort, but Monigold has certainly played a central role, coming up with some incredibly huge and timely hits at the state tournament. Last season he set the program’s single-season RBI record, and this spring he has a chance to eclipse the all-time career title.

Hiland head coach Chris Dages said Monigold’s relentless work ethic has led him to become one of the all-time Hiland great hitters.

“Malone is getting an outstanding young man,” Dages said. “As a freshman he pretty much hit his way onto the varsity squad and hasn’t let up since. He’s put some of the most phenomenal at-bats together that I’ve seen in a long time, and that shines a light into what he’s put into his game so he can go compete in every at-bat.”

Monigold credited his dad John Monigold for helping him develop his left-handed swing and encouraging his work ethic and desire to improve.

He said his record-setting campaign and career thus far aren’t only because of what he’s done.

“Sometimes you just have to get lucky and be put in the right spot,” Monigold said. “Sometimes it works out and all that work pays off.”

Dages chose three words that best described the first baseman/pitcher.

Dages said dedicated, humble and competitor define Monigold.

“He’s dedicated to his team and to his craft,” Dages said. “He works tirelessly to contribute to the team on the field and as a leader. Baseball can be a humbling game, and he has been a great example to others. He is one of the strongest competitors I’ve seen. He never feels overwhelmed, and he wants to be that guy.”

As for the three straight state championships, Monigold said that was very special, something that has been accomplished in OHSAA history by only two other teams.

“It’s special to be part of it, and I wouldn’t want to do it with any other group of guys,” Monigold said. “They’ve been awesome, helping each other out and working through adversity, even when things don’t seem to go our way.”

Monigold said the coaching staff at MU and already knowing several of the players there were both instrumental in his decision to attend Malone. Monigold said both factors helped him narrow down his choices from several Ohio schools.

“Looking at what they are trying to build, I like what’s going on there, and I want to be a part of that,” Monigold said of MU’s baseball program.

He also said playing for a program like Hiland has helped prepare him for the college game because the Hawks’ staff pushes its players to work hard and strive for perfection.

“It’s a time commitment, and that’s what college is,” Monigold said. “It’s a bunch of hard work, a bunch of repeated work, and it’s not going to be easy, but it’s the same thing here, which is why we’ve gotten to the level we’re at.”

Monigold is undecided as to what his major will be, but having played the game of baseball since he was 4 years old, he knows baseball will be a part of his college experience.

“My dad’s been throwing foam balls at me since I was 4 years old,” Monigold said. “And it’s always been from the left side.”

He said the game of baseball has brought him countless joy, but there have been times of frustration in the cage when he was beating himself up over his swing and results. However, he has always had a desire to work through any issues to get back to where he wants his swing to be.