MOSES LAKE — Baseball season in the Columbia Basin is still about a month away from beginning, but there’s already one Moses Lake baseball player making waves — senior Holden Koziol, who had his signing ceremony Thursday to play baseball at Dordt University. 

“I’m full of excitement,” Koziol said. “Ready to move on and go to the next thing, go play college ball. A little bit nervous, going to be far from home, but it’s a new adventure. Get to learn about a different part of the country.” 

Dordt, located in Sioux Center, Iowa, is just over 1,350 miles from Moses Lake. Even though the distance can be intimidating, Koziol pointed to strong relationships formed with the Defender coaching staff as a drawing point for his signing with the program. He said after speaking with a coach and visiting the school, he could envision himself attending. 

“He had talked to me off and on a little bit, and wanted (me) to come out to see me — I was a little nervous going that far away, but I went, toured the campus and it seemed like that could be a second home to me,” Koziol said. “They welcomed me right away, and showed that they’re very caring, kind people over there.” 

At the ceremony in the Moses Lake High School commons were Koziol’s family, friends, teammates and coaches. 

“It’s exciting not just for his family and our team — it's exciting for Moses Lake baseball, too,” Moses Lake baseball head coach Donnie Lindgren said.  

Koziol is a baseball lifer, having first started playing the game when he was five years old. 

“My dad would drive me out to the field, gave me a bat and told me to swing,” Koziol said. “It just has gone from there.” 

The Moses Lake senior grew up playing catcher but has been able to play several different positions on the diamond. Koziol said he’ll be listed at both catcher and infield with the Defenders. 

“Catching has my heart, for sure,” he said.  

Lindgren said Koziol has brought energy and hard work to the Maverick baseball program during his time with Moses Lake. 

“He goes 100% every day at practice and in games,” Lindgren said. “It just transforms from practice — he doesn’t have to worry about game time, game speed or anything else, because that’s what he works at every day in practice and in the off-season.” 

At Dordt, Koziol said he is looking to study sports psychology. 

“I’ve been taking a couple psychology classes here at the high school and at the college for Running Start, and I’ve been part of sports my entire life — it just seems like something that would interest me, and I could do it for a while,” Koziol said.