In Memoriam: Braiden Moran

August 21, 1996 – July 16, 2023

Parents: Brandi Moran, Rob Godme

Sister: Maci Godme

Son: Kai

Braiden played baseball at Lutheran High School from 2011 through 2014. He was part of four Sectional Championship teams and as a senior was selected as the Christian Leadership Award winner. Braiden played third base and as the designated hitter. His nickname from his Little League days was “Big Papi,” like David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox. Braiden had a lot of power at the plate. He hit six home runs in his Lutheran career.

Braiden was a great teammate and was a friend to many people on and off the baseball diamond.

Unfortunately, Braiden became injured in his senior year after starting off very well. He missed seven games that led to the last weekend of the regular season. What could have happened in those seven games and the ones afterward without the injury!

Braiden concluded his senior season with a batting average of .286 after hitting .343 prior to his injury. He played very good defense and continued to contribute to our Sectional Championship and Regional appearance.

The moment in Braiden’s career that most of the players and coaches will remember occurred on April 29, 2014 at Scecina Memorial High School. We were playing Scecina in an Indiana Crossroads Conference game. The weather that day was chilly and windy, not the best day for baseball. For those who have not been to Scecina, the outfield fences were major league distances. No easy or wind blown home runs. When Braiden came up to bat in the third inning, we were tied with Scecina 3-3 with two outs, Jake Reid, who had doubled, on second base. With the count being one ball and no strikes, Braiden hit the next pitch to dead centerfield. The ball kept going and went over the fence for one of the longest home runs in Lutheran Baseball history! Given the weather conditions and the dimensions, I think everyone was stunned for a while about how far Braiden had hit the ball. Quite a memory for everyone involved and a great highlight for Braiden.

Braiden is missed. Rest in peace!