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| Viking junior Cooper McNally, a three-year varsity starter, who recently made the move from shortstop to third base. (Photos by Ed Piper) |
"He has done a very nice job at shortstop, third base, and has even filled in at catcher from time to time," says La Jolla High coach Gary Frank of junior Cooper McNally.
"Offensively, he hasn't quite found his groove yet this season (by his standards), but has clawed his way to a .280 average."
It makes one think of a pitcher who finds he doesn't have his best stuff in a game--yet perseveres to survive and even prosper, making the necessary adjustments.
The lefty-batting McNally, in a way, has done a similar thing at the plate so far.
Regarding Blaise Gimber, technically in his fourth year on varsity after pitching in a playoff game as a freshman at the end of the season, Frank says, "He has done a good job of getting on base in the leadoff spot (leads the team in walks), and has started to add more power to his game."
Cooper has been an important cog on the Vikings ever since entering the program two years ago as a ninth-grader. "As a three-year varsity starter, he is one of our most experienced players," observes his head coach, "and one of our leaders."
But establishing himself last year as an effective hitter has also meant he's a known factor, in the bullseye for opponents. "...[t]he opposing teams...have adjusted their pitching tactics.
"Once Cooper makes his adjustments (to their adjustments), his average will take off again."
Blaise, a mobile center fielder, "already has more extra base hits this year than he totaled in his first two and a half years on varsity," reveals Frank.
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| McNally, a potent hitter, takes a healthy cut against University City April 4. |
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