Friday, July 4, 2014

McCray finds his groove for Williamsburg Post 39



By John Harvey

JAMES CITY – Solomon McCray admits he didn’t have his best year at the plate for Lafayette High School last spring.

After batting .462 in a breakout junior campaign, McCray’s averaged dipped to just .269 as he struggled to find his rhythm at the plate.

He regained his groove for Williamsburg Post 39 Thursday night in an 11-1 victory over Poquoson Post 273 in seven innings at Warhill High School.

The former Lafayette standout went 2-for-3 with three runs scored, including a two-run homer, as the Wildflowers improved their winning streak to nine in a row.

“It feels good to win nine in a row,” McCray said. “Everyone on the team has all played together, whether it’s been school ball or all-stars, so the chemistry is really good.”

McCray is batting .438 this summer as the team’s No.3 hitter. He also is tied for the team in runs scored with Mikey Anerton. “I’ve just gone back to basics with tee work and doing what makes me comfortable at the plate.”

His comfort level was evident in the second inning as he crushed Chris Leavy’s fastball 320 feet over the left-field fence. “I was just trying to keep the inning extended,” he said. “I wasn’t thinking too much at the plate. I’ve just been seeing the ball and reacting.”

The same can be said for every batter on the team. Post 39 have posted more than 10 hits in each of its last three games, including 14 on Thursday night.

Liam Lowery went 4-for-4 with 3 runs scored and an RBI. Tyler Klinedinst went 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. Thomas Richardson also had two hits and drove in a run.

Pitching was equally as dominant. Matt Smith scattered one run on six hits and struck out six in three innings to get his second victory this week. Kent Klyman allowed just two hits and struck out five in four innings of relief.

Ben Phifer paced Poquoson Post 273 with three hits and a run scored. P.J. Jackson had the team’s lone RBI.

Williamsburg Post 39 will return to action Monday, July 7 when they face Post 273 at Poquoson High School. Game time is 7 p.m.

Contact me at HarveySports757@yahoo.com or on Twitter @HarveySports757




No comments:

Post a Comment