Evelyn Lorimer becomes viable option for leadoff hitter following Merchant's departure
With her quick speed on the base path and well-placed slap hitting, Macy Merchant was one of the most important aspects of the explosive Central Michigan offense last season.
Lost to graduation, Merchant was an all-conference player who hit .408 and .474 in conference play. Her .408 average is the third-best in a single season at CMU.
“Macy was obviously a great leadoff hitter," said sophomore right fielder Evelyn Lorimer. “Losing her was significant. We’ve just tried to fill that spot and find someone who can take the leadoff role.”
Along with batting average, Merchant also led last year’s team with 73 hits, 39 runs and a .439 on-base percentage.
The Chippewas enter MAC play with a 17-9 record, having restructured the top of their lineup successfully over the course of the preseason.
Known as the "table setter," the primary function of the leadoff hitter is to get on base and progress to scoring position from the efforts of subsequent batters.
Lorimer has been the team’s most frequent leadoff hitter since Merchant’s departure. In her first season as a consistent starter, Lorimer is hitting .288 with a .342 on base percentage.
She is still young, leading the team in strikeouts (23), but Lorimer has been effective, having multiple standout performances, particularly during the Cardinal Classic in Louisville, Ky. She hit a team-high .421 in the tournament, establishing herself as a fixture in the lineup, typically finding herself at the top of it.
Junior third baseman Trista Cox also found herself near the top of the order, filling the two and three slots. Cox is leading in almost all of the offensive categories, with a .366 batting average, 30 hits and 19 RBI.
“We lost a good group of seniors," Cox said. "(Lorimer) has been doing a good job of replacing what we lost from Merchant. She’s been great in the leadoff position. I just view my role as someone who will do whatever they can to help the team.”
Head coach Margo Jonker is happy with Lorimer's production thus far.
“Ideally, we look for someone who can get on base often," Jonker said. "We look for someone with speed and someone who has the ability to steal bases. Right now, Lorimer is doing a great job. She has speed and the ability to get on base, as well as the ability to bunt for a hit and provide us with a bat that has power.”
