Hamilton Southeastern senior Maddux Bach made history this week, stealing his 50th career base to become the school’s all-time leader in stolen bases. The mark breaks the previous record of 49 held by Justin Striebel, locking in Bach’s place in HSE baseball history.
But for Maddux, the moment wasn’t about numbers – it was about playing the game he’s always loved the way he’s always played.
“Wasn’t really thinking about it,” Bach said. “Just went out there and played how I know how.”
From the moment he first stepped onto the varsity field as a freshman, his speed and base-running instincts are impossible to ignore. That first stolen base wasn’t just a stat – it was the beginning of something special.
“My freshman year playing varsity and stealing the first bag was special,” he said. “It’s always been the strongest part of my game, and once I realized that, I started to use it as an advantage.”
Bach’s dominance on the base hasn’t just come from raw speed – it comes from his instinct to read pitchers, trust his gut, and attack at the right moment.
“Instinct is the key,” he said. “You have to believe you can take the bag and know when or not to steal. Reading the pitcher and trusting your instincts – that’s everything.”
It’s a skill that takes more than just athleticism. It requires composure, timing, and mental toughness to be able to shake off mistakes and keep moving forward – traits such as Bach’s have not only helped him improve as a player but as a teammate also.
“Baseball is a game of failure,” he said. “Just being able to overcome and deal with the mental side of the game was the biggest and most important thing I had to realize.”
That mindset, that Maddux has been developing over four seasons in the blue and white, is what turned a fast freshman into a seasoned senior leader – and now a record holder.
As Maddux Bach plays towards the end of his baseball season as a senior, on the final stretch, his legacy won’t just be measured in steals. It’ll be remembered for the mindset, instinct, and quiet confidence that took him – and HSE – to the next level.
