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The Marshall University baseball team possess something that can possibly help the program stay successful for years to come.
Thundering Herd head basketball coach Jeff Waggoner said what he believes to be the key to the team’s future success is simply freshman talent. “We have some good, young players that will continue to get better and better,” Waggoner said. “As a freshman, to get playing time is so valuable. We have a lot of young guys that are playing right now and that will help us be a great program for a long time.”
Last season Waggoner utilized the skills of Victor Gomez as the team’s designated hitter. As a freshman, Gomez recorded a .358 batting average, 34 runs, 77 hits, 11 home runs and had 47 RBIs in 215 plate appearances.
Because Gomez has continued to show significant improvement at the plate and has also been able to contribute defensively during his sophomore season, Waggoner has inserted another freshman into the designated hitter role Gomez previously occupied. That player has been Thor Meeks, a freshman slugger from Hurricane, WV.
So far this season Meeks has recorded a .248 batting average, 18 runs, 28 hits, seven home runs and has 24 RBIs in 113 plate appearances. Meeks’ numbers have declined slightly over the past few games, but Waggoner said it’s fairly common among freshmen.
“Gomez went through the same thing last year where he went through some tough times and he fought through it. They’re both great players and great hitters. I look for great things out of both of them and I think their work ethics will get them there.”
Not only are the two comparable statistically, but their physical characteristics also bear an eerie resemblance. Both have dark hair and stand 6 feet 1 inch tall. Gomez weighs in at 230 pounds, while Meeks trails slightly at 226.
“Well, I’m a better hitter than (Meeks) is, but he has more power,” Gomez said with a laugh. “I can see how he reminds everyone of me last year because we pretty much had the same role on the team. We have the same approach at the plate and we both try to do things to help the team win.”
Meeks said he welcoms the comparison. Gomez said it is always good when a freshman comes in and has a big impact. “He’s been a solid part of the middle of the lineup and he’s been there all year,” Gomez said. “He’s been helping me and Nate (Lape) get good pitches to hit, and that’s an important thing. He has a lot of upside and that’s what you look for in a freshman.”
The Herd will take on conference opponent Houston in a three-game series at Appalachian Power Park this weekend. First pitch is scheduled for Friday at 7p.m.
Jonas Swecker can be contacted at jswecker@marshall.edu.