Venezuelan exchange student DuQue fitting right in at Batavia

Matt Holm has had two chances to coach Henry DuQue this year at Batavia.

Suffice it to say, it has been much easier the second time around.

DuQue, a senior at Batavia, is enjoying his first year here as an exchange student from Venezuela. He plays third base on the days he isn't the Bulldogs' No. 3 starter.

That came after a fall when DuQue tried out and made the Batavia football team, the first time he had played that sport, where his coaches included assistant Holm.

Unlike football, baseball - a game he has played since he was 3 years old - comes naturally.

"Since we started baseball season I've been happy, just having fun with the team," DuQue said. "Football was my first time. It was kind of hard but I just did it for fun. Baseball is more serious."

DuQue said his favorite player is Johan Santana, who also is from Venezuela. Like Santana, the New York Mets ace who has got a lot of batters out through the years with his changeup, DuQue can be crafty on the mound.

Unlike Batavia flame throwers Adam Karger and Brian Krolikowski, DuQue doesn't have the overpowering fastball to get hitters out. But he's still been successful, adding another quality arm to the deepest pitching staff around.

"He's a natural player, he knows what he's doing," Holm said. "He has fun."

Holm first got a look at DuQue the baseball player this winter hitting in a cage at the Strikers facility. Holm said one of the biggest question marks for Batavia, 15-5 heading into its key doubleheader Saturday against Geneva (just a half game back), was third base, so he has been thrilled with how DuQue has stepped right in.

"He fits in perfectly there," Holm said.

Batavia's catcher Ryan Welter also has been a big part of DuQue's transition. Welter said he used "little league type stuff" at first calling the game with DuQue on the mound, sticking to basic fastball, change, curve.

"It's challenging at times having a kid who isn't so good at speaking English yet, but he's doing a great job," Welter said. "He came into the season and we didn't know how to communicate very well. He's been phenomenal. I'm real proud of him.

At the plate, DuQue is an aggressive hitter who likes to swing at the first plate. He started slow but began flashing his power and has worked his way into the area leaders in RBI.

DuQue said he plans on staying in Batavia until July 25th, but that he would like to stay longer if he can find a scholarship to college. He has enjoyed both playing sports at Batavia and the class work.

About the only thing he hasn't liked was the cold.

"School is good," DuQue said. "I have fun because we change classrooms. One of my teammates is always in one of my classes so I have someone to talk with.

"Everyone is really nice. All the guys on the team. We have fun at practice, at the games."

And having that much more fun sitting in first place in the Western Sun.