Evan Hughes is enjoying the summer and the moment.

The former Northampton pitcher is playing for the Mankato Moondogs in the Northwoods League for the second straight year.

“My goal is to compete against some of the best players in the country, continue developing as a pitcher, and help my team win as many games as possible,” said Hughes recently. “This summer is a huge step for me because I’m looking to build momentum heading into my senior season at East Stroudsburg and continue chasing my goal of playing professional baseball.”

Hughes, a junior last season, posted a 7-2 record with a 4.09 ERA in 10 starts of his 13 appearances for East Stroudsburg University last season.

He spent the previous two years at York College, where he was the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Commonwealth Rookie-of-the-Year with a 5-2 record and a 3.27 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 55 innings. The following season, Hughes was 7-1 with a 4.13 ERA his sophomore season.

At York, Hughes discovered how college ball is reaching another level.

“My first two years at York were great,” reflected Hughes. “I learned a lot about college baseball and grew tremendously as both a player and person. The biggest adjustment was learning that talent alone isn’t enough at the college level. Everyone is talented, no matter the level you are playing at. I had to learn how to prepare every day, take care of my body, handle failure, and stay mentally consistent.”

He made the move to Eastburg because he believed he could elevate his game.

“I have nothing but respect and appreciation for York, but I’ve always believed in pushing myself to be the best player I can be,” stressed Hughes. “East Stroudsburg gave me an opportunity to compete at a very high level while continuing to develop as a pitcher. Coach (John) Kochmansky and the coaching staff believed in me, and I felt it was the best place for me to continue pursuing my long-term goal of playing professional baseball.”

He apparently has found a home there.

“The adjustment was made easier by my coaches and teammates,” said Hughes. “Everyone welcomed me right away and made me feel like part of the program. Any transfer comes with challenges, but the culture at East Stroudsburg made the transition smooth and allowed me to focus on becoming the best player I could be.”

Yet, the season wasn’t without some obstacles to overcome. He faced a self-evaluation.

“This past season I struggled with self-belief at times, and I think that’s something every athlete goes through,” said Hughes. “I’ve learned that you can’t compare yourself to other people or worry about what others think. At the end of the day, it’s you versus you, and confidence is something you have to choose every day.”

His Northampton days are still quite vivid in his memory.

“What I remember most is the people,” beamed Hughes. “I was fortunate to play with many of the same teammates growing up, and our families became incredibly close over the years. Through Northampton Athletic Association baseball, it felt like I grew up with an extended family. Some of my favorite memories weren’t just the games themselves, but all the time spent with teammates, coaches, and families who were always supporting one another.

“I was also lucky to be coached by my dad, Bill Hughes, and Steve Kerbacher, who had a huge impact on my development both as a player and a person. Steve and his family have always been very close with my family, and I’ll always be grateful for everything they did for me growing up.”

Northampton manager Mick Sugra didn’t have any doubts that Hughes would excel at the collegiate level. Hughes went 5-1 his senior season with 40 innings pitched. In his last start, Hughes had a complete-game, 108-pitch effort win over Emmaus in an opening round district game.

“Evan was a workhorse for us,” boasted Sugra. “He went to York and had a solid two years there while really continuing to grow and hit the weight room more. You see him now and he’s just solid. He’s such a hard worker in the gym and with his routine. He came in to throw a bullpen over the winter and he is doing all the right things.

“He’s a leader in the way he does things, the right way and humbly. I hope he has continued success over the summer and next season at ESU.”

Hughes credited his success to the constant support of his family led by parents Bill and Melissa.

“Growing up, I played basketball and football too, but baseball was always the sport that stood out,” recalled Hughes. “My family has always been a baseball family, and from a young age I knew it was what I wanted to pursue. My older brother Ayden and younger brother Quinn have pushed me my entire life. We grew up competing against each other in everything we did, and that competition made all of us better. We’re still extremely close today, and they’ve played a huge role in helping me become the player I am.

“Most importantly, I’m incredibly thankful for my parents. They sacrificed so much to give me opportunities and support my dreams. Everything I’ve accomplished is because of the love, support, and values they instilled in me growing up. They’ve helped shape me into the man I am today, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”

Hughes has mostly struggled with the Moondogs this season, but, he is coming off a performance on Aug. 1 where he threw five scoreless innings allowing just one hit with five strikeouts and a walk vs. Rochester Honkers.