Morlock, Hastings achieve impressive feat

By Chris Agar (Whetstone Staff Writer)

Baseball aficionados know statistics like Tiger Woods knows women.

Most baseball fans can tick off the all-time baseball numbers: DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak, Hank Aaron’s 755 homeruns, Nolan Ryan’s 7 no-hitters, and Pete Rose’s 4256 career hits.

Like DiMaggio’s streak, one feat that is nearly impossible to reach is batting .400 or better. It is an achievement that has not been accomplished in the major leagues since Ted Williams batted .406 in 1941.

Wesley has seen two players, senior Grant Morlock and freshman Seth Hastings, bat over .400 during the 2009 season.

“Grant has been a key player for us for four years now and this is what he’s capable of doing,” said head coach Tripp Keister. “He’s been a guy we’ve counted on. He’s the senior captain. When the season began, I knew he was capable of putting up some numbers.”

Morlock has hit .402 in 22 games so far this season. His three homeruns are second most on the team and he has also added 25 RBI.

“[Hitting .400] is always a goal,” he said. “It’s a high goal to set, but it’s always something you want to try to do.”

Morlock said that being patient at the plate is the strategy for hitting for a high average.

“I’ve been trying to get myself into good hitting counts,” he said. “Hitting in the middle of the lineup, you tend to see a lot of off-speed pitches. So I try to get ahead in the count and maybe see a fastball that you can drive the other way.”

Morlock will be graduating this spring.

But Wesley has found his replacement in the batting order in freshman Seth Hastings.

“Seth kind of waited his turn,” said Keister. “He hit his stride lately and has really hit well and been a big spark for us.”

Hastings saw extended playing time this season because of injuries the team suffered. His .417 average led the team, and he has a perfect fielding percentage.

“It feels pretty good,” Hastings said. “I’m just trying to go out there and earn my spot, make the team better and put some runs on the board.”

He credits situational hitting for getting his average up to where it is.

“It’s about getting hits when you’re supposed to, leadoff hits, hits with runners in scoring position, two out hits, and just putting the ball in play,” he said.

Both players made big contributions to Wesley’s 14-10 regular season record.

“I’ve been hot as of late,” said Morlock. “I’ll try to stay as hot as I can and hope for the best.”

Hastings echoed the senior captain.

“I’ve been seeing the ball real good lately, so I hope I can take that into the playoffs and help us win,” he said.

Morlock, a physical education major, hopes to get a teaching or coaching job. He also sees professional baseball as a potential career.

“I’ve been talking to a couple of scouts,” he said “Maybe I could play some independent ball somewhere or maybe even the minor leagues or something like that.”

Hastings envisions a bright future at Wesley.

“Every year I try to get better,” he said. “I work hard, working in the weight room, working on the field, and getting extra time in before practice. It’s all about working hard and wanting it the most.”

Keister sees a lot of potential in Hastings.

“I think he has some tools,” Keister said. “He can run, he can hit, he hits for power, and he comes to play every day, and I really like what he gives us and I’m excited about him for the next three years.”

Keister said losing Morlock is a blow to the team.

“You miss leadership, you miss knowing their consistency,” he said. “As we wind down the season, I try not to think about stuff like that, but I’m definitely going to miss them.”

Wesley advanced all to the CAC title game, but lost to Mary Washington 7-1.