Mostek makes a change

OMAHA — When Natalie Mostek moves on to pharmacy school next fall in Colorado she will be well-versed in being adaptable to change.

The lifelong catcher who “worked a little in practice” on outfield in her one year at Des Moines Area Community College has made a wholesale conversion to the outfield as a senior at University of Nebraska-Omaha this spring.

Mostek, daughter of Jeff and Kit Mostek of Creston and twin sister of Maria, a distance runner at Northwest Missouri State University, has taken over as the Maverick’s right fielder in her final collegiate season. She’s provided some punch to the bottom of the batting order (four doubles, one home run, six RBIs) and speed with a team-high six stolen bases in seven attempts.

“To me, when Natalie is up its like having another leadoff batter in front of our leadoff hitter,” said first-year head coach Amanda Eberhart. “She’s a strong kid and runs well. Sometimes I’m just in awe watching her run, especially from first to third.”

Mostek’s move is the result of two changes on the team in 2019, one of which involved a near-fatal medical reaction to an Achilles surgery by senior outfielder Taylor Conkling. After the adverse reaction to something during the outpatient procedure, Conkling is in the midst of a long recovery process in a medical facility in Tulsa, Okla.

“She ended up coding on the table,” Mostek said. “It hasn’t been determined exactly what happened. It’s been very emotional for us, especially as a fellow senior. I started the season at catcher, and when we lost Taylor in January I moved to the outfield.”

With hard-hitting freshman catcher Janae Cameron of Windsor, Colorado on the roster and vying for playing time anyway, Mostek’s athletic versatility came in handy with the relatively smooth transition to the outfield.

Different view

“It took awhile,” Mostek admitted. “I practiced outfield a little at DMACC, but since being here I hadn’t done much besides catch. You’re seeing the game from a completely different angle.”

Eberhart appreciates Mostek’s willingness to tackle a new challenge in her final season.

“She’s been an amazing team player in that aspect,” Eberhart said. “To have her and Janae in the lineup, with both good bats, that gives us a little more offensive power.”

With wholesale changes at pitcher this season. the Mavericks are struggling at 2-10 in Summit League play and 4-36 overall after Tuesday’s 5-2 home loss to crosstown rival Creighton University. There was a touching prayer circle tribute to Conkling involving both squads prior to the game. “Play for Tay” has been the Mavericks’ motto this spring.

Last weekend, the Mavericks went 1-2 at Purdue Fort Wayne. Mostek scored a run with a hit in the team’s 9-4 victory, homered and reached on a fielding error in the 6-4 loss finale. She drove in a run and walked twice in a tough 6-5 loss in eight innings to open the series.

After graduating May 3 with a degree in medicinal chemistry, Mostek will be busy preparing to begin her studies at the University of Colorado’s School of Pharmacy in Denver. Her longtime Creston boyfriend, Tayler Pettit, will pursue a master’s degree in finance at the university’s Boulder campus.

Mostek made the Summit League Academic Honor Roll the previous two seasons and is headed there a third time in 2019. She also made the Summit League Commissioner’s List of Academic Excellence in 2017 and 2018. At DMACC Mostek earned the NJCAA Award for Superior Academic Excellence while batting .518 for the Bears.

Strength awards

Crediting her experience as a four-sport athlete at Creston Community High School and the strength and conditioning program coordinated by coach Casey Tanner, Mostek was Omaha’s Strength and Conditioning Lifter of the Year in 2018 and earned the Maverick Muscle Award.

As a junior, Mostek hit a career-high .261 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs with nine stolen bases. She threw out 12 runners from behind the plate.

Eberhart said it will be a loss when contributions like those are gone after Mostek’s graduation.

“Natalie is the total package,” Eberhart said. “Athletic, academic, as a teammate. She’s a pleasure to coach. I don’t have to worry about her.”

Omaha hosts Iowa State at 4 p.m. April 24 at Westside Field at Westbrook before finishing the regular season with conference series at North Dakota State and at home against Western Illinois.

The Summit League tournament begins May 8 in Fargo, North Dakota.