“Every great batter works on the theory that the pitcher is more afraid of him than he is of the pitcher.”

That famous quote by baseball legend Ty Cobb perfectly illustrates the kind of offensive campaign Panther Valley senior Michael Pascoe put together this season.

Pascoe struck fear into opposing pitchers - not just in every game, but in every at-bat.

Pascoe’s historic 2023 season at the plate, coupled with his strong defensive play in the infield, earned him the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Baseball Player of the Year Award.

Raked, mashed, roped – call it anything you want - Pascoe terrorized pitchers when he stepped into the batter’s box this season. His offensive numbers look like they could be straight out of a video game. Pascoe finished the season batting a torrid .632 with a team-leading 43 hits. He also led the team in runs (40), RBIs (30) and home runs (8).

“I have never seen a kid in my 14 years of coaching as locked in as Michael Pascoe was this season,” said Panther Valley head coach Rich Evanko. “His understanding of the strike zone is the best I have ever seen. He walks up to that box ready to compete for each and every pitch that comes his way. In addition, the ball just jumps off his bat.

“He can hit for power, he can hit for average, he can hit behind runners, and he can even lay down bunts, whether it’s a sacrifice or laying one down for a hit. What I also like about his approach at the plate is that he is really good at fighting off pitches, especially with two strikes. If you’re able to do that, eventually a pitcher is going to make a mistake and Michael took advantage of that many times this season.”

One of the pillars to Pascoe’s success during his three seasons starting for Panther Valley has been his rigorous offseason regiment, which has helped to develop his consistent and productive approach at the plate.

“I love to put in a lot of work. We have a bunch of guys in the program that work hard, and it shows,” said Pascoe. “I do a lot of work on my swing and my mechanics.

“It’s just something I care a lot about and something I love to work at - and like I said, it’s not just me, it’s a bunch of guys on the team and we all challenge each other to get better by putting in the extra work and time.”

Any person that was fortunate enough to see Pascoe play this season was undoubtedly impressed with his performance at the plate.

But Pascoe’s work in the field and on the mound were also extremely impressive.

Pascoe settled in at the shortstop position this season, providing the Panthers with outstanding play in the middle of the diamond. From the mound, Pascoe’s arm strength made him a valuable asset as a relief pitcher. In 11 innings of work, he didn’t allow an earned run, while amassing 26 strikeouts.

“If we didn’t have such a strong starting catcher in Cody Orsulak, Michael could have been one of the best catchers in our league, said Evanko. “The fact that he settled in at shortstop and played as well as he did there, goes to show his tremendous versatility. I believe he has played every position for us except centerfield during his career.

“He also has great baseball I.Q. He is out there moving outfielders and moving infielders, and we coaches don’t even have to say anything. When you combine what he can do offensively and defensively with his outstanding work ethic, he’s got the entire package you look for as a coach.”

Evanko said as good as Pascoe’s numbers were, the work he put in to achieve them is what impressed him the most.

“There might have been kids that have worked just as hard as him in our program, but I have never seen anyone work harder, and I have never seen anyone outwork him,” said Evanko. I know as a coach, I miss all my kids when they graduate, but he is one that I am truly going to miss having around our program.”

Pascoe not only put together an historic season for Panther Valley, he put together an historic career.

PV has been one of the top teams in the Schuylkill League since Pascoe put on the Panther uniform. Since the beginning of the 2021 season. Panther Valley is a combined 55-16, with three straight Schuylkill League Division 3 titles and a District 11 3A championship.

Individually - according to the PV record books - Pascoe is the only player in school history to collect 100 or more career hits. What’s even more impressive about the achievement is that Pascoe was able to hit the milestone despite his entire freshman season in 2020 being canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I wouldn’t be the player I am, or the person I am today, without my teammates, coaches and especially my parents,” said Pascoe. I started playing baseball probably around 15 years ago with my dad, and I grew up with the game because of him. My dad and my mom have sacrificed a lot of their time running me around all these years, and that really means a lot.

“When you win an award or receive an honor, a lot of people help you achieve that, and I want to thank my teammates and coaches for all that they have done as well. We have a great bond, we worked hard together, we pushed each other and those are times I will forever be grateful for.”