Batter Up
April 07, 2011 08:52 AM | General
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. - As West Virginia sophomore Brady Wilson struts up to the batter’s box, Lloyd Banks’ “Start It Up” blasting from the Hawley Field speakers, the Frederick, Md., native has one simple thought racing through his head – get on base.
The Mountaineers’ (17-14, 3-3 BIG EAST) leadoff batter does not feel burdened by the unenviable task of jump-starting the team’s offensive rotation. Instead, he is grateful for any role he can play that will aid in WVU’s success.
“I’m just happy I’m playing,” he recently said. “I love getting in there and getting the at-bat.”
Wilson’s presence at the plate is much more prominent this season. Following a freshman campaign which saw him bat .204 with one home run and 10 RBIs in 38 games, the slugger has already doubled his production as a sophomore, and through 31 games, he ranks No. 3 on the team in batting average (.357) and RBIs (23).
Most importantly, he is fifth on the team in on-base percentage (.427), a vital statistic for a leadoff hitter.
“My main goal is to always get on base,” Wilson explained. “I go out to the plate with a plan – take pitches and get a hit.”
Wilson’s tenure at the top of the Mountaineers’ lineup has been brief, as he earned the role following the departure of All-American Jedd Gyorko. Gyorko, the team’s top hitter in 2010 with a .381 batting average, was given the green light from coach Greg Van Zant to swing at the first pitch. Wilson knows his role is different.
“Gyorko was such a talented hitter,” said Wilson. “If he saw a fastball, he hit it. With me, my role is different – I have to work the count more and get a good pitch to hit.
“(Gyorko) is an amazing hitter. I wouldn’t say that I’m the type of hitter he is. He has a lot more power, and I’m more likely to hit the ball on the ground, run and use my speed. I just play my game.”
Comfortable with his new role, Wilson, a pre-physical education major, says he needed a season in the Old Gold and Blue uniform to adjust to the collegiate game.
“The game is much faster,” he said. “Everyone is a lot bigger and more athletic. That was the biggest deal for me. I had to get used to the pitching and the feel of the game.”
He says that his early season statistics indicate that the adjustment period is near-complete.
“I’m very happy that I’m playing to the level that I’m capable of,” Wilson expanded. “You always want to get better. Last year was my wake-up call. I’ve been working really hard this season – hitting, field, everything. I’ve definitely improved a lot, and I know I need to continue to go out there and work as hard as I can. It’s definitely a good feeling.”
Wilson’s confidence isn’t soaring solo in the Mountaineer dugout. Ranked No. 1 in the BIG EAST Conference through April 6 with a .312 batting average, WVU’s bats have proven strong thus far in 2011.
“We’ve had a lot of players step up,” Wilson explained. “Jeremy Gum and Ryan McBroom have taken a lot of swings. We’re all just working hard in practice with coach (Pat) Sherald. We’ve always had a reputation for hitting, so it’s good to keep that going. We take our offense very seriously, and we take a lot of pride in it. It’s really nice to see our offensive numbers up.”
Wilson believes that the Mountaineer sluggers have the necessary moxy to dig the squad out of almost any hole this year.
“If you’re batting .220 as a team, your confidence, hitting-wise, isn’t very good,” he said. “With us, all of our hitters are capable of hitting the ball out of the park, or at least getting a good hit. It doesn’t matter who is up to bat, we’re pretty confident we’ll get a hit.
“With two outs, no one is getting his glove on and getting ready to take the field. We never know what’s going to happen, but we do know we can always get good hits.”
The Mountaineers are anxious to swing their hot bats in the friendly confines of Hawley Field this weekend. After opening conference play on the road and earning a 3-3 record, including a series victory at USF two weeks ago, WVU welcomes Georgetown this weekend for its first BIG EAST home series. The squad will open play Friday, April 8, with the first pitch slated for 7:05 p.m.
“I wish we were 6-0 right now, but we had a tough schedule – at USF and at Louisville,” Wilson said. “It’s hard traveling and playing in different atmospheres with a lot of fans.
“I’m pretty happy with where we are right now. We still have a chance to win the BIG EAST. Everyone is right there. It’s going to be hard, but I think we have a really good chance. I don’t think a lot of people expected us to be doing this well now. I feel pretty comfortable with where we are.”
A 9-2 series-opening victory at Louisville on April 1 punctuated the Mountaineers’ two-week road trip. Wilson says those types of victories are invaluable for WVU.
“It was awesome,” he recalled. “To get that game Friday night, against their Friday night pitcher, was a big confidence boost. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the last two wins, but just to get one in their park was really big for us.”
With the dream of a BIG EAST Championship dangling before him, Wilson hopes to pick up three more conference wins this weekend against the Hoyas.
“That’s our goal – win the BIG EAST,” he said. “If you win the BIG EAST, you get to go to the next round. We want to get to that championship. You have to go out there, play your butt off and see what happens. That’s all I can do.”
That and get on base. With a rejuvenated confidence and the will to help the Mountaineers succeed, Wilson will continue to work the count and wait for the perfect pitch with hopes of one day leading WVU back to BIG EAST glory.
The Mountaineers’ (17-14, 3-3 BIG EAST) leadoff batter does not feel burdened by the unenviable task of jump-starting the team’s offensive rotation. Instead, he is grateful for any role he can play that will aid in WVU’s success.
“I’m just happy I’m playing,” he recently said. “I love getting in there and getting the at-bat.”
Wilson’s presence at the plate is much more prominent this season. Following a freshman campaign which saw him bat .204 with one home run and 10 RBIs in 38 games, the slugger has already doubled his production as a sophomore, and through 31 games, he ranks No. 3 on the team in batting average (.357) and RBIs (23).
Most importantly, he is fifth on the team in on-base percentage (.427), a vital statistic for a leadoff hitter.
“My main goal is to always get on base,” Wilson explained. “I go out to the plate with a plan – take pitches and get a hit.”
Wilson’s tenure at the top of the Mountaineers’ lineup has been brief, as he earned the role following the departure of All-American Jedd Gyorko. Gyorko, the team’s top hitter in 2010 with a .381 batting average, was given the green light from coach Greg Van Zant to swing at the first pitch. Wilson knows his role is different.
“Gyorko was such a talented hitter,” said Wilson. “If he saw a fastball, he hit it. With me, my role is different – I have to work the count more and get a good pitch to hit.
“(Gyorko) is an amazing hitter. I wouldn’t say that I’m the type of hitter he is. He has a lot more power, and I’m more likely to hit the ball on the ground, run and use my speed. I just play my game.”
Comfortable with his new role, Wilson, a pre-physical education major, says he needed a season in the Old Gold and Blue uniform to adjust to the collegiate game.
“The game is much faster,” he said. “Everyone is a lot bigger and more athletic. That was the biggest deal for me. I had to get used to the pitching and the feel of the game.”
He says that his early season statistics indicate that the adjustment period is near-complete.
“I’m very happy that I’m playing to the level that I’m capable of,” Wilson expanded. “You always want to get better. Last year was my wake-up call. I’ve been working really hard this season – hitting, field, everything. I’ve definitely improved a lot, and I know I need to continue to go out there and work as hard as I can. It’s definitely a good feeling.”
Wilson’s confidence isn’t soaring solo in the Mountaineer dugout. Ranked No. 1 in the BIG EAST Conference through April 6 with a .312 batting average, WVU’s bats have proven strong thus far in 2011.
“We’ve had a lot of players step up,” Wilson explained. “Jeremy Gum and Ryan McBroom have taken a lot of swings. We’re all just working hard in practice with coach (Pat) Sherald. We’ve always had a reputation for hitting, so it’s good to keep that going. We take our offense very seriously, and we take a lot of pride in it. It’s really nice to see our offensive numbers up.”
Wilson believes that the Mountaineer sluggers have the necessary moxy to dig the squad out of almost any hole this year.
“If you’re batting .220 as a team, your confidence, hitting-wise, isn’t very good,” he said. “With us, all of our hitters are capable of hitting the ball out of the park, or at least getting a good hit. It doesn’t matter who is up to bat, we’re pretty confident we’ll get a hit.
“With two outs, no one is getting his glove on and getting ready to take the field. We never know what’s going to happen, but we do know we can always get good hits.”
The Mountaineers are anxious to swing their hot bats in the friendly confines of Hawley Field this weekend. After opening conference play on the road and earning a 3-3 record, including a series victory at USF two weeks ago, WVU welcomes Georgetown this weekend for its first BIG EAST home series. The squad will open play Friday, April 8, with the first pitch slated for 7:05 p.m.
“I wish we were 6-0 right now, but we had a tough schedule – at USF and at Louisville,” Wilson said. “It’s hard traveling and playing in different atmospheres with a lot of fans.
“I’m pretty happy with where we are right now. We still have a chance to win the BIG EAST. Everyone is right there. It’s going to be hard, but I think we have a really good chance. I don’t think a lot of people expected us to be doing this well now. I feel pretty comfortable with where we are.”
A 9-2 series-opening victory at Louisville on April 1 punctuated the Mountaineers’ two-week road trip. Wilson says those types of victories are invaluable for WVU.
“It was awesome,” he recalled. “To get that game Friday night, against their Friday night pitcher, was a big confidence boost. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the last two wins, but just to get one in their park was really big for us.”
With the dream of a BIG EAST Championship dangling before him, Wilson hopes to pick up three more conference wins this weekend against the Hoyas.
“That’s our goal – win the BIG EAST,” he said. “If you win the BIG EAST, you get to go to the next round. We want to get to that championship. You have to go out there, play your butt off and see what happens. That’s all I can do.”
That and get on base. With a rejuvenated confidence and the will to help the Mountaineers succeed, Wilson will continue to work the count and wait for the perfect pitch with hopes of one day leading WVU back to BIG EAST glory.
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