When his team needed him to change positions this season, Jonathon McKay stepped up.

"He moved from third base to catcher for us, although he would have preferred to stay at third. I never heard him complain regardless of the situation," Ridge Spring-Monetta High School baseball coach Matthew Velasquez said.

McKay, a rising senior, has played baseball since he was about 5 years old. He has been part of the Trojans' varsity team since he was in seventh grade and has usually played third base.

"I like it best," he said.

Although the Trojans didn't finish the season as well as he would have liked, McKay gave his all for the team, according to his coach. Ridge Spring-Monetta finished the season third in the region.

"He had some clutch plays at the end of the year that was a result of natural talent, intelligence and hustle," Velasquez said.

McKay said he feels his defensive play is stronger than his offense, but he finished the season with a .350 batting average.

Velasquez said McKay is a leader on and off the field.

"He is a natural leader. He leads with his actions and shows respect to everyone," he said.

McKay is involved in other activities at Ridge Spring-Monetta High School, including FFA, student council, the Beta Club, Spanish Club and Art Club.

He plans to improve his skills for next spring's baseball season by playing fall baseball.

"I hope to play and get better at hitting and with offense and defense," he said.

Reach Charmain Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.