North Carolina State University Athletics
Shearin's Hot Hitting Gives Pack a Boost
4/18/2001 12:00:00 AM | Pack Athletics
Then it happened. In the final game of a three game series against Florida State on March 18, Shearin went 2-for-3. He then followed that effort up by going 6-for-15 in a weekend series at Virginia.
It was as if someone had flipped on a light switch. The baseball, which had looked like a little white marble in the first 16 games, was starting to look like a volleyball.
Now, as of April 17, the same Jamey Shearin who was well below the infamous Mendoza line just a month ago, is hitting .321 with four homers and 28 RBIs.
Since his breakout day against the Seminoles, the 6-4, 210 pound Shearin is batting .425 (34-for-80) with four homers, 11 doubles and 24 RBIs. He's also hit safely in 17 of his last 18 games.
"Playing every day helped me get in a groove," said Shearin, who was being platooned in the outfield before he started hitting. "The repetition, along with the coaches and other players helping me has made a difference. I started playing a little bit more and started feeling comfortable. But I didn't really change anything."
Shearin showed flashes of potential by hitting over .300 as a part time player in his freshman season. Year two brought what only could be described as the proverbial sophomore jinx.
"We've always thought Jamey had the potential to be a great hitter," said Wolfpack head coach Elliott Avent. "He possesses good power, a great love for the game and a willingness to be successful, but Jamey's always had a lack of confidence. With something as hard as hitting a baseball, it's tough to hit without confidence. Confidence doesn't usually come until you produce in a game. He had a couple of hits fall, and then he had a couple of more after that. Now he knows he's a good hitter. All of the hard work in the weight room and the years of playing are starting to pay off now. But it didn't pay off until he got that confidence in himself."
During his early season slump, he would frequently get himself out by swinging at pitches outside the strike zone. But over the last month, he's become much more selective at the plate. That's not to suggest, however, that Shearin will take a lot of pitches until he finds one to his liking. Many pitchers who have tried to jump ahead of him with first pitch fastballs have paid the price.
"I've liked the first pitch my whole life," Shearin said. "Sometimes they try to get ahead in the count by laying it in there, so I try to take advantage of it."
Shearin's emergence has given NC State some much needed pop at the top of its lineup. Earlier in the season, infielder Jeremy Dutton (.338), outfielder Brian Wright (.344) and freshman catcher Colt Morton (11 homers) were carrying the offensive load. Shearin, who was hitting in the lower portion of the order in early March, now bats third between Wright and Morton. The switch has made NC State a much more formidable offensive team.
"I've always told people that one player can make a big difference," Avent said. "With Jamie being able to handle the three slot, it takes some pressure off of Colt. It can only help our club if he can keep hitting."
