Noah’s Spark
Melchior helping Bux-Mont champ Hatfield in a variety of ways
Noah Melchior closed out games on the mound and drove in clutch runs all summer long for the Hatfield American Legion team. It all can be summed up into one thing that the recent North Penn grad does well — Noah Melchior wins.
His most recent success story was Wednesday night when he helped Post 933 capture a Bux-Mont championship, beating Quakertown 5-1 behind his three-run homer. He played a part in North Penn baseball’s PIAA Class AAAA title in 2013 and helped the school’s boys basketball team play above and behind its talent level and reach the District 1-AAAA playoffs in consecutive seasons.
“Noah is one of our most mature players,” Hatfield coach Matt Gallagher said. “It is probably what allows him to come into a legion season and contribute the way he has without a lot of experience.”
The 6-2, 210 pounder has not been the ace on the pitching staff for Hatfield this summer, that honors goes to Collin Healey. He has not been the hottest hitter. You choose from several candidates there, including Brady West, Tim DiLoreto or Mike Christy. But as a leader, Melchior makes sure Hatfield
has a winning attitude and welcomes any role Gallagher decides to stick him in.
“It really started defensively,” Gallagher said. “He does a nice job at first base and it earned him some innings. He has had a number of big hits, obviously none bigger than the he hit (against Quakertown).”
Melchior rarely stepped into the batter’s box during his high school career, but when a spot in the lineup needed to filled this summer, the strong right-hander showed off his power. He became a staple at first base in the middle of Post 933’s run toward a postseason title. After a 1-4 start to the league season for Hatfield, the shift away from the mound seemed to pay off for everyone.
“Our first basemen left the team in the middle of the season,” Melchior said. “I kind of jumped in. Coach told me I would hit sixth or seventh. My role has been doing jobs and hitting sac flies, but when I get a chance to swing away I try to manufacture something.”
Melchior did not get the innings he imagined he could have obtained for North Penn or Hatfield legion, but his onthe-field and off-the-field demeanor never changes. He is willing to do what is best for the team. Even in the midst of a three-run homer to basically bury the Blue Jays in the championship game, Melchior was quick to acknowledge Healey’s heroics and Douglas Apple and Zach Zeigler, who found a way to get on base before his blast.
“Props to the guys for getting on and giving me a chance,” Melchior said. “It was nice to see Healey go out and throw the way he did. The homer felt really good. It picked the momentum up for everybody.”
When the summer ends it will be back to the rubber to work on what West Chester has planned for the Secondary Education major. The Rams are looking forward to molding Melchior into a hard throwing righty. And Melchior just hopes to be a pieces to the puzzle and do what he does best — win.
“I would need a lot of work (to hit in college), but it is definitely fun,” Melchior said. “I have to focus on throwing strikes. I love the support from the all of the guys and we have each other’s back every step of the way.”