Quince Orchard’s Moldawer: a star still on the rise

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Last year at this time, 2006 Quince Orchard High graduate Andy Moldawer was a relatively unknown player. Now, he will be starting in the prestigious Brooks Robinson High School All-Star Game.

Sitting behind two veteran pitchers in Joe Mattes and Brett Fox, Moldawer, a right-handed pitcher, saw much more time on the bench than on the mound. The inclusion of those pitchers, plus many others, including Northwest graduate Jensen Pupa, left Moldawer without a spot on the Gaithersburg Post 295 squad, as well.

This year, thanks to a lot of graduations, the door opened for Moldawer to become a starter, and he has made the most of the opportunity.

As Quince Orchard’s ace this spring, Moldawer led the Cougars to a 21-1 record and their second straight appearance in the state tournament with an 8-0 record and a 1.75 earned-run average in 44 2⁄3 innings of work. His good fortune and stellar performance extended to the Maryland State Coaches Association’s MSABC Classic, a tryout for seniors to quality for both the Brooks Robinson game (this Sunday) and Team Maryland, an all-star team that travels to play in the Sunbelt Classic (Okla.) each summer.

Moldawer impressed coaches enough to be chosen an alternate for the Brooks Robinson contest. Then last week, Moldawer had the alternate label removed after another starter had to withdraw from the game.

Quince Orchard coach Jason Gasaway ‘‘called me at night and told me I would be playing at Camden Yards,” Moldawer said. ‘‘I’m really excited. I’m really excited to play with the best players in Maryland, especially at Camden Yards. I’ve been going there since I was a little kid.”

Moldawer currently plays for the Gaithersburg Sports Association’s team in the Eddie Brooks League team, a college wood-bat circuit. He had a compiled a 1-0 record in two starts through Sunday. He will play at Catholic University (Washington, D.C.) next year.

‘‘This year was just awesome — all the surprises that have happened,” Moldawer said.