Rylie Moss produces breakout season at the plate for Iowa softball

IOWA CITY – Iowa’s Rylie Moss has enjoyed a breakout softball season.

The junior from Muscatine has emerged as a leader for the Hawkeyes, ascending to first in the batting order and first in hits on the team – and in the Big Ten Conference.

The offensive metamorphosis began before the season-opening win against North Carolina State, going 2-for-3 and matching her career hit total in one game.

“I think it’s the hard work she’s put in,” Iowa Coach Renee Gillispie said. “She’s worked real hard this last summer to get herself ready to come in. We saw some great improvements from her this past fall.”

Moss has become the Hawkeyes’ top batter, leading the team in hits, batting average and on-base percentage in her first season as a full-time starter. She logged one of Iowa’s two hits in the series opener against Indiana Friday night at Pearl Field.

For Moss, simpler has been much better, transforming from a nervous underclassman to an effective leadoff hitter.

“I’ve learned to just have fun,” Moss said. “The biggest thing is that’s why we’re all here because we like to play the game. I try to not make things too difficult at the plate. One pitch at a time. I try to remember that I have had a lot of at-bats in my life. I will have a lot more, so the outcome of one at-bat doesn’t define me as a player or the game.

“I try not to make any moment or situation too big. It helps me stay level and grounded. I’m able to do the best I can during an at-bat, which is all you can really do.”

As a freshman, Moss played in 36 games with eight starts, managing two hits. She had more stolen bases (5) than times reaching base (4). Moss made 28 appearances last year, scoring 11 runs but didn’t record an official at-bat.

The effort in batting cages during the offseason caught coaches’ attention and powered improvement. The left-handed slapper began to see the impact during the fall and it has carried into the spring.

“We really try to get in the cage and break down our swing a lot in the offseason, which has helped me a lot,” said Moss, who praised assistant Brian Levin and teammates for many of her gains. “We hit with each other. We really help each other. If I have a question, I go and ask one of them and they are able to provide some insight that I might not see in my swing. I think that has helped me grow these last two years.”

Gillispie also praised Moss’ work in the weight room. She’s gotten stronger, allowing her to hit the ball harder, and faster, which was already an asset for Moss. Gillispie also noted her ability to take critiques and suggestions and transforming them into improvement and results.

“One of the most coachable kids that we have,” Gillispie said. “She really takes everything to heart. She tries to figure out what she needs to do to make those adjustments and then she does it. A lot of kids will hear what they need to do but never work at it.

“Rylie has always been that hard-working, understanding what she needs to do and does it. She doesn’t have any excuses. She just goes about her business and takes care of it.”

Moss has a thirst for softball knowledge. She is a student of the game, especially the art of hitting. Moss has relied on many different sources to apply to her craft.

Of course, there are the Iowa coaches, including Levin, who helped her level the plane of her bat to hit more line drives and groundballs as a slapper. As seen by her hard grounder up the middle for a single against the Hoosiers.

She also picks the brains of her teammates, including Echo Mattiello, whose advice helped Moss adjust to Purdue shifting three infielders between second and third base.

Moss will also spend time just watching other players on television and dissecting their approaches and technique.

“I like to watch more because you get better and the more you watch, the more you see,” Moss said. “I really like to learn from myself, as well as my teammates. I learn from what they’re doing and other people playing on other teams. I try to learn as much as I can to improve in whatever way possible.”

Moss entered Sunday’s series finale with Indiana with 42 hits. Her .382 batting average is tied for seventh in the conference. Moss is second on the team with 20 runs and .407 on-base percentage.

Moss began in the No. 9 spot as a good bat to roll over into the top of the lineup, according to Gillispie. It became apparent what role she could serve and moved to leadoff. She adapted quickly.

“It’s a little different because you see the pitcher for eight batters before you hit, which is an advantage to some extent,” Moss said. “I have adjusted to it because I get to go out there and not think as much. At No. 9, I caught myself thinking too much about is she going to throw this or throw this. As a leadoff, I try to show my team the pitcher as much as I can and get on to set the tone for the game. My teammates can hit me in or do whatever because I know they have my back.”

Moss demonstrated her well-rounded ability Friday. The right fielder made a catch and threw out a Hoosier at home who was attempting to tag and score on a flyball. She also battled the sun and made a catch at the wall.

“Those have all been things she’s worked on to get better,” Gillispie said. “You could see it in that game, making a great catch and making a great throw home to get the out.”

Moss prepared to be able to make a difference this season. The Hawkeyes have benefited from her dedication. She may have believed someone telling her at the beginning what this year would have in store but she’d be thankful for it.

“I probably would just be grateful that my coaches gave me the opportunity to show what I could do,” Moss said. “I put in a lot of work in the offseason, so I would have been hopeful for that.

“Of course, I want to do well but it doesn’t matter to me as long as I do what I need to do to help the team do as well as possible.”

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com