The Southern Ohio Copperheads are composed of players from 17 different colleges. Naturally, with such diverse personnel, team chemistry develops slowly.
This was evident for the Copperheads after two weeks of hovering around the .500 mark. Two weeks later, however, the Copperheads now boast a 15-10 record. The turnaround is largely because of the increased regularity in the team's everyday lineup.
One of the mainstays has been Zach Hartle.
Zach's a leader
Copperheads coach Mike Deegan said. This whole season he's someone that we've looked to for leadership and also his outstanding play.
Lately, Hartle has led by example. The Ohio shortstop sports a .328 batting average for the Copperheads this season, the second best on the team. Hartle has also hit two home runs this year, including a game-winning grand slam against the Delaware Cows last week.
I've just been more patient Hartle said. I struggled a little bit in the beginning. Now I'm looking for more fastballs to hit getting in deeper counts and making the pitcher work a little more. I've been working things out on the tee and in soft toss
and it's translating into the games.
Hartle's prowess at the plate recently earned him a spot on the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League All-Star team. He is one of six Copperheads to garner the honor.
Hitting is not his only contribution to the team, however. Defensively, Hartle's natural position is shortstop, but he has also seen action at second and third base this summer.
Zach is very versatile and that goes with his athleticism and his unselfishness
Deegan said. He wants to help the team out in any way he can
and we're fortunate to have someone like that who can play all of those positions and play them at a pretty high level.
Further proof of Hartle's unselfishness occurred in last week's game against the Xenia Athletes in Action. Hartle agreed to pitch for the Copperheads to relieve an overworked bullpen.
We needed some arms
so I told them I'd go out there and throw a couple innings to save some arms for this week
Hartle said.
Hartle, who has never pitched for Ohio, pitched two innings of shutout baseball to finish the game.
While it is unlikely that Hartle will ever toe the rubber for OU, he will return to the Bobcats next season for his senior year. Hartle hopes the team can improve on its disappointing 2007 campaign.
We'll just try to get better game by game
Hartle said. We lost a lot of guys
but we've got some good freshmen coming in. We just have to keep trying to improve and not be too hard on ourselves.
With the influx of new players, the leadership skills Hartle has gained this summer should be a major factor for the Bobcats next season.
