Eric McCue has a golden foot.

It seems he has a golden eye, as well.

A standout soccer player for Karns City, the senior scored a school-record 49 goals last fall.

But baseball is his true love.

"It's No. 1 for me," McCune said.

Opposing pitchers don't share the same affection for the game when they have to face McCue because he's just as good at reading a pitch as he is at scoring a goal.

In the season opener against Ford City Friday, McCue stepped to the plate five times against three Sabers pitchers.

In those five at-bats, McCue saw 32 pitches. He walked twice, scored twice, stole four bases — including home — and spoiled two-strike pitch after two-strike pitch.

"That's why we bat him leadoff," said Karns City coach Travis Twentier. "He loves to take pitches. It's not my philosophy, but that's what he likes to do."

McCue always has had a discerning eye at the plate.

"Just get on base — that's always been my goal. If I get on, stealing second is almost automatic," McCue said.

Tall and lanky at 6-feet-2, McCue has a quick first step and the speed to rattle almost any pitcher and catcher.

Toss in the unique knack of getting a good jump, and walking McCue is as good as giving up a double — or a triple, if he's feeling particularly bold.

"He's great at reading the pitcher and knowing when he can go and when he can't," Twentier said. "When he gets on base, you know stealing second base is a given."

The trick for McCue has been getting on base — he can't steal first, after all.

As a sophomore, McCue rarely hit. He played in the field, but the designated hitter usually batted in his place.

But he spent hours in the cage honing his skills. While he still isn't the most gifted hitter, he makes enough contact to be pesky at the plate.

"I don't hit many way out there," McCue said. "But I'll get the ball over the infield. I'm happy when I get a double, but I know a single is just as good."

McCue never had the same struggles in soccer.

He didn't completely dedicate himself to the sport until he was a sophomore. As a football player his freshman year and much smaller at the time, McCue suffered a severe concussion.

McCue wanted to give football another whirl, but his mother had other ideas.

"That was it for mom," McCue said. "The soccer coach (Roy Parker) came to my house and I decided to give soccer a try."

McCue was a mainstay in the Gremlins' lineup as a sophomore. The following season he scored 26 goals and erupted for the school record as a senior.

Also a basketball player, McCue averaged 10 points per game this winter.

McCue will attend the University of Pittsburgh next year as a pre-med major.

Because of his heavy study load, McCue said he won't play any sport as a freshman at Pitt.

He hasn't ruled out trying out for the Panthers' soccer team at some point, however.

If he had his druthers, though, McCue would be a baseball player.

"It's kind of sad, because it is going to end," McCue said. "I'd love to play four more years (in college), but I'll enjoy this while I can."