Finally.
The unseasonably cold weather of last weekend has given way to temperatures in the 70s forecast for the next couple of days. Fowlerville baseball coach Matt Hunt, like his counterparts around the state, says that should help in a number of ways.
“We’ve been able to practice and take batting practice outside and get a lot more reps on the field,” he said. “Guys are starting to get into their groove, which is nice to see. Going inside and outside and inside and outside like we had been, we were getting a lot of spotty results.”
The Gladiators (8-3 overall, 1-1 CAAC White) will get a chance to reap the benefits of warm weather today, when they travel to Williamston (6-6, 1-1).
The games will be broadcast on The Livingston Post starting at about 3:45 p.m.
The funny thing is, though, is that the Gladiators have done pretty well at the plate despite the cold and rain that threw April schedules out of whack.
Christian Montrose is hitting .641, Sam Browne is at .571 and Trevor Miller has been the definition of a cleanup hitter, batting .556 with 24 RBIs in 11 games.
“He’s been hitting in the 4-hole for us,” Hunt said of Miller. “He’s been doing it all for us. He’s been hitting doubles and the single when we need it and the big hit when we need it. He’s been our guy.”
The Gladiators are averaging nearly nine runs per game with a team batting average of .377.
This for a team that lost 10 seniors last year but in the early going doesn’t appear to have lost a step.
“We knew we had talent,” Hunt said. “We knew it was young talent and we weren’t sure how the process would be. But the boys have responded well to what we’ve been teaching and preaching.”
Williamston has had its ups and downs this season, including a doubleheader where the Hornets won the first game 11-1, then lost the nightcap by the same score.
“They were young last year, and they’re going to be a quality team,” Hunt said. “Especially in conference play.”
And, as the calendar turns to May, Hunt is looking ahead to the postseason with a doubleheader against Haslett scheduled for Wednesday.
“This is a big week for us, because both of these teams are in our district,” Hunt said.
