Goodrich’s Matt Hughes recently received state recognition for one sport, but may have to relocate to pursue his dream in another sport.
Earlier this month, Hughes, a junior shortstop on the Martians? varsity baseball team, was selected to the Division 2 All-State baseball second team.
He said he was ‘surprised and excited? when Goodrich coach Bob Foreback called him with the news.
‘There were a lot of good kids I went up against,? he said. ‘There were some kids that were drafted by major league teams. That was one of my goals heading into the season.?
Hughes is the 10th Goodrich player to receive All-State recognition since Coach Bob Foreback took the helm of the Goodrich varsity baseball program.
Foreback said Hughes has good baseball instincts and was intelligent in the way he played the game.
‘Matt was a team captain, and he led us in numerous offensive categories this season,? he said. ‘He’s a coach’s son, so he knows the game as well as anyone I’ve coached. He always knows what to do and has a good baseball mind.?
Hughes, who started on the Goodrich varsity his freshman year, said he has gotten ‘a little bigger and stronger? since that time, and worked on becoming a more complete player.
‘My fielding, I think, is the biggest thing I’ve improved on,? he said.
However, Hughes is focusing his summer efforts on another sport. Instead of playing baseball on a travel team this year, Hughes will be pursuing another goal ? making the Bozeman Ice Dogs, a junior A hockey team in Montana.
‘I’d have to move away and start my senior year out in Montana,? he said. ‘Their season lasts until March, so I could move back here and play baseball for Goodrich in the spring. It’s been a goal of mine to make that team.?
Hughes has played center for the Compuware midget major triple-A hockey team for the past three years
If he were to make the Ice Dogs, Hughes said moving from Goodrich to Montana ‘would probably be the hardest thing I’ve ever done.?
However, he said Goodrich will always be a place he can come back and feel welcomed by friends, teachers, and coaches.
‘Goodrich has been my home since second grade,? Hughes said. ‘I know I could come back and they’d be there for me.?
Hughes is the son of Dan and Amy Jo Hughes of Goodrich, and has one younger brother, Steve, 14.