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| MacLean (WCSU athletics) |
Western Connecticut State University junior Kyle MacLean had gone 164 college at bats without hitting a home run.
Then came at bat No. 165 against Eastern Connecticut State University this past Tuesday. The bases were loaded in the bottom of the third inning in a scoreless game. MacLean unloaded them with a grand slam, his first collegiate home run.
Fast forward to today, and MacLean has homered in four straight games.
That’s right, FOUR.
The former St. Paul standout leads the team with four home runs after not having one through the first 26 games. In fact, MacLean has gone deep four times in his last 17 at bats, or a ridiculous rate of a home run every 4.25 at bats.
After a Wednesday doubleheader against Albertus Magnus College was cancelled — weather has really been a problem this spring — WCSU played at Lehman College in the Bronx on Thursday. The Colonials won a 20-12 slugfest against their hosts, and MacLean hit a two-run homer in the first inning.
After another cancelled game against John Jay on Friday, WCSU was at Rhode Island College for a doubleheader on Saturday. MacLean played in both games, and he went 6-for-9 with two home runs, eight RBI and four runs scored.
In the first game of the twin bill, MacLean’s three-run homer in the top of the third inning cut a Colonial deficit to 8-6. He also had a two-run single in the first inning of a game WCSU eventually won 14-10.
In the second game, MacLean launched a two-run home run in the top of the ninth to cut a deficit in half to 9-7. The Colonials wound up losing the game 9-7.
To recap, in MacLean’s last 17 at bats, he is hitting .588 (10-for-17) with four home runs, one double, 15 RBI and seven runs scored. That’s one amazing four-game stretch.
WCSU hosts New Rochelle on Monday, weather permitting of course.
