Introducing our WXXV Student Athlete of the Week, St. Patrick’s very own Michael Baty!
This week’s student athlete doesn’t remember a time he didn’t have a soccer ball at his feet, and it truly shows when he moves effortlessly along the pitch. He’s a captain on the soccer team and a leader in the classroom. Introducing our WXXV Student Athlete of the Week, St. Patrick’s very own, Michael Baty!
High school soccer season may have just begun here on the Mississippi Coast, but the St. Patrick Catholic boys team has been lights out straight out of the gate. They’ve remained undefeated after five match ups scoring 27 total times and only allowing one goal against them.
Leading the Irish with nine goals is senior co-captain Michael Baty, and he’s confident this team has what it takes to finally bring the gold ball to St. Patrick.
“It’d mean everything to me honestly because I feel like I’ve given 110% for the four years I’ve played and I think doing it my senior year would be amazing and just a dream come true for everyone,” said Senior Captain Michael Baty. “For freshmen and the eighth graders coming up, it sets a tone for the next few years and I think just the success is going to help so much. Being undefeated right now is definitely a big step for us right now.”
Speaking of taking steps, Baty steps up in all circumstances and is eager to play any position on the pitch in order to help the team.
“I think it’s a good thing. I kind of like being everywhere,” Baty said. “I like being on the ball and I think I’m best at creating opportunities to score and help the team and everything.”
In his most recent game on Tuesday, he proved that being on the ball is where he’s meant to be, scoring four goals against the recent four-time state championship team. When he’s not scoring goals for the Fighting Irish he’s playing just about everywhere else with Mississippi Rush ECNL. He says his passion is what makes him play year round and along with the opportunity to get better everyday.
“Probably the love for it and the passion for it. I’ve always been a competitive person and it was easy for me,” Baty said. “I got good really quickly. When I was young my dad would tell me I was the fastest and would score all the goals, but I think it’s just the passion and the want to do good for the school and the team and the success they all deserve. “I’ve always wanted to play pro. I’ve always wanted to be one of the best players that I could be. I think playing for all these different teams and levels just shows me where I’m at and I’m ready to take it to the next level after this.”
Although he hasn’t committed to a specific school yet, we know he’ll thrive at the next level wherever he goes, and we look forward to documenting his success.
