Byrce Moyle seen in action in Washington State's opener this year against Saint Mary's.
RENO — It must have seemed like old times for Carson High graduate Bryce Moyle when he took the mound on Thursday at Peccole Park.
It was just a typical Northern Nevada day for baseball with the wind howling, something Moyle is certainly used to. And while the situation wasn’t stressful — the Washington State baseball team had a 16-2 lead going into the ninth inning when Moyle came into the game — it was a great experience for the sophomore left-hander.
After walking the first batter he face, Moyle retired the next three batters, striking out one, to finish the Cougars’ 16-2 win over the University of Nevada
“That was really fun,” Moyle said. “I enjoyed it. I was happy to come out and pitch an inning today.”
Even though it wasn’t a situation in which the game was on the line, it didn’t bother Moyle because he knows he’s earned an important spot in the Cougars’ bullpen this season.
Moyle has been joined at Washington State in Pullman this season by former CHS teammate Abel Carter. The 2018 Carson High graduate is a freshman and made the trip to Reno with the Cougars. Carter has made the adjustment from playing third base for CHS to the outfield for the Cougars.
Carter still hasn’t seen any action so far this season, but is still competing for playing time. A redshirt season this year is still an option for Carter. Moyle also didn’t see action in Nevada’s 8-1 win over the Cougars on Friday.
As far as Moyle, he’s gotten off to an outstanding start to the season as he’s yet to allow a run or a hit in three innings over four appearances, striking out five and walking two.
Moyle said he enjoys coming out of the bullpen. “I’m happy to be there,” he said. “I’ll definitely have a role.”
What role that will be is still to be determined as the Cougars are still trying to determine the roles of their relief pitchers. So Moyle said about what the most important thing obviously was “just keep getting outs.”
Moyle should actually serve in various roles out of the bullpen for the Cougars. He should be able to eat up innings out of the bullpen as well as get a left-handed or right-handed hitter out in a crucial situations.
“I (actually) get righties out better,” said the left-handed Moyle. “I do a lot out of the pen. That’s a good thing about me. I can fill a lot of roles.”
Moyle’s fastball is consistently in the 85-87 mph range. “I always try to throw harder,” he said. “You’ve got to have movement but I always try to throw harder.”
For Moyle to have any chance at being drafted by a Major League team it figures he will need to have a fastball in the 92 mph range. He said doesn’t rule out the chance of being able to reach that speed with his fastball. “Of course that’s the goal,” said Moyle about being drafted by a Major League team.
As far as this season, Moyle said, “It’s gone pretty well so far, but just look to keep it going forward. I’ve been happy about what I’ve done this year.”
While obviously hoping to crack the lineup, Carter said he’ll be willing to accept a redshirt season. “If I don’t get any time there’s always the chance to redshirt so I have possibly more time to play in the future,” Carter said.
“It’s been a grind. I’ve been working really hard. It’s been a great challenge. It’s been good. I love it up here. Pullman is a great place to play baseball.”
Carter said he also enjoyed coming back to Northern Nevada. “I loved it,” he said.
Carter also said he’s happy with his choice to attend Washington State. “I feel good,” he said. “It’s a great place to grow, to become a better player and a better student-athlete for sure.”