Sky Sox ‘infielder’ stands out by blending in
There’s always a smidgen of awkwardness when anyone asks Mike McCoy what position he plays.
“I usually just say infield,” the Sky Sox’s leading hitter and supersub said. “Maybe middle infield … whatever. It’d be nice to have a position, but if it gets me to the big leagues then that’s OK.”
McCoy continued to master his jack-of-all-trades role Saturday, socking four hits, driving in four runs, scoring three more and stealing a pair of bases as Colorado Springs won its series opener against Omaha 9-3 at Security Service Field.
McCoy – who has logged time this season at second and third base, shortstop, right field and even on the mound for an inning – is batting .374 and has become an indispensable piece to manager Tom Runnells’ roster.
“He’s just a baseball player,” Runnells said. “He plays hard. He plays right. He does a lot of good things. He doesn’t complain. He is actually a pretty decent outfielder, too.
“You know, shoot, I personally think he could help somebody in the major leagues.”
While McCoy spearheaded the offense, Brandon Hynick brought calm to the mound for a staff coming off a four-game series in which Iowa posted 54 runs on 75 hits.
Hynick (3-3) threw 62/3 innings, holding the Royals to two runs on seven hits.
“It felt great to actually put some zeroes up there early and pitch with the lead,” Hynick said.
Omaha chipped away at the 6-0 lead, drawing within 7-3 before McCoy drove in a run and scored another in the eighth.
The teams continue their four-game series at 1:05 p.m. today, and McCoy figures to be in the lineup. Where? That remains to be seen.
“Sometimes it takes a little work, but I try to keep him in,” Runnells said. “Especially when he’s playing as well as he is.”
NoteCarlos Gonzalez missed his second straight game after tweaking a hamstring Thursday against Iowa. Runnells doesn’t believe the injury is serious, but the team is taking a conservative approach.
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