Junior second baseman Raymond Church leads the Owls with 16 walks this season. (FAUOwlAccess.com photo)
Church service
FAU junior Raymond Church is making a believer out of John McCormack, who elevated Church to the lead-off spot last week
Originally published on
3/22/2010
by
Marcus Nelson
BOCA RATON – With catcher Mike Albaladejo struggling in the leadoff position, FAU coach John McCormack went to Church last week.
McCormack didn’t need divine intervention, he just needed Raymond Church to fill a valuable role for the Owls that was missing for most of the season.
Church is settling into the role quite nicely.
McCormack likes the patience at the plate shown by Church, who leads the team in walks with 16.
“He takes a lot of pitches,” McCormack said. “The greatest thing is he doesn’t mind hitting at 3-2 or 2-2. He takes pitches and gives us some chances. I like him there.”
Church had spent most of the season batting No. 7 or No. 8 in the lineup, but in last Tuesday’s game vs. Rutgers, Church was inserted into the leadoff position.
Since then, Church is hitting 6-for-17 with 4 runs and 4 RBI, including, fittingly enough, a 4-for-5 performance on Sunday.
“I get more at-bats and see a lot of pitches,” Church said. “In the first at-bat I really try and see every pitch and after that I can be more aggressive if the situation is right or take pitches if we need someone to get on base. I really like hitting up there.”
Church, who transferred from Palm Beach State College and played at Santaluces High School, is also helping the Owls with his glove.
“That’s why I’m here, I guess, to play defense,” Church said.
Church made several nice plays over the weekend vs. UALR and, with shortstop Nick DelGuidice, is giving the Owls solid defense up the middle, McCormack said.
“That middle infield is as good as he we’ve had here in some time,” McCormack said.
Cornell (3-1, 0-0 Ivy League)
at FAU (11-7, 4-2 Sun Belt)
- When: Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. ...Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
- Where: FAU Stadium
- Radio: Streaming live
- Scouting the Big Red: Official site
- Pitching plans: Tuesday – Owls Jr. RHP Taylor Everist (1-4, 6.95) vs. TBA…Wednesday – Owls Fr. RHP R.J. Alvarez (0-1, 7.20) vs. TBA
- About the Big Red: Cornell beat Northwestern 8-7 on Monday and has won four consecutive games…The Big Red had its first three games cancelled or postponed and started its season last Tuesday.
- About the Owls: FAU owns a 5-1 lead in the series vs. Cornell. …FAU hitters are striking out 5.89 times per game, the worst in the Sun Belt. …This is the last series of a nine-game homestand for FAU