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Jay Molina |
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Promising newcomer who is slated to miss 2002 season
due to elbow injury suffered late in his senior season
at Moline High School ... underwent “Tommy John”
reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in June of
2001 ... a hard-nosed competitor and tremendous
athlete whose versatility extends to the mound and
behind the plate (plus various infield positions) ...
should be a leading contender at catcher in 2003, with
four-year veterans Paul O’Toole and Andrew Bushey set
to graduate after the 2002 campaign ... showed his
great quickness and defensive skills during winter
catching drills ... known for his mental and physical
toughness, leadership and winning attitude ...
likewise a force at the plate and on the bases ... has
all the tools to be a great catcher, with a strong
throwing arm, good hands and a quick release ... also
expected to excel in his interaction with the Irish
pitching staff ... a consistent linedrive hitter to
all fields ... driven competitor who does not back
down from a challenge ... made his official visit to
Notre Dame during the weekend of the 2000 ND-Nebraska
football game ... one of six Illinois natives on 2002
Irish roster (139 have lettered with Notre Dame
baseball program) ... noteworthy former Irish players
who have worn No. 13 include catcher and current
executive director of the Notre Dame Alumni
Association Chuck Lennon (’60-’61) and power-hitting
first baseman Joe Binkiewicz (’89-’92, 33 career HRs).
PREP & PERSONAL: A two-sport all-star at Moline
High School, where he was a four-year letterwinner on
the baseball squad (mostly as a pitcher and shortstop)
.. named the Quad-City Metro baseball player of the
year, despite lateseason knee injury suffered prior to
regional playoff game versus Sterling (he was unable
to pitch and played first base, with Moline later
losing to Galesburg in the regional title game) ...
considered the pitching ace on Moline’s 2001 staff,
with a 4-1 record and 2.36 ERA, plus a .477 batting
average, three home runs, two triples, 12 doubles and
30 RBI ... opted not to play 2001 summer ball with
Rock Island Post 200 America Legion team, while
recovering from injury ... led 2000 Moline team to a
33-3 record and a third-place finish in the state
tournament, batting .390 in that junior season with
four home runs and 45 RBI – plus a 9-0 record and 2.50
ERA in 65 IP ... helped baseball team win Western Big
6 Conference title his final three seasons and
regional championships his first three seasons ...
three times all-city, twice all-conference ...
two-year team captain ... rated a top-10 prospect at
2000 Top Gun Showcase (Las Vegas) ... led team to
three consecutive American Legion state tournaments,
including state title season as a 16-year-old ...
invited to play in Illinois football and baseball
all-star games (he did not participate due to elbow
injury) ... four-year letterwinner and three-year
starter in football, as a quarterback and defensive
back .... three times all-city in football and
all-conference as a sophomore and senior ... led team
to conference football title as a junior, when he
totaled 1,500 combined yards (passing and rushing) ...
football team captain and MVP as a senior, after
returning from midseason knee injury and leading
Maroons to class 6A playoffs ... member of the
National Honor Society ... named academic all-state as
a sophomore ... elected homecoming king at Moline ...
brother Anthony Molina was an infielder and catcher at
the University of Evansville ... born Nov. 11, 1982
.. son of Augustin and Carolyn Molina ... enrolled in
the First Year of Studies ... intends to major in business.
