Writers’ Player of the Game at Orleans Firebirds: Zach Yorke
Video interview with 3x WPOTG Zach Yorke.
By: Matt Coates
To no one’s surprise, Zach Yorke earned Writer’s Player of the Game in this contest. Yorke is becoming a regular for this award, with this being his third win of the season.
In a matchup on the road against the Orleans Firebirds, Yorke continued to make an impact with his bat. He stepped to the plate in the top of the second inning with the bases loaded and one out. After being late to a fastball on the first pitch of that at-bat, Yorke wouldn’t make the same mistake. With the game tied 2-2, Yorke ripped a ground-rule double down the line in right field on the second pitch of the at-bat. The ball was hit toward the fence, bouncing out of play into a group of fans in foul territory.
That shot gave the Hyannis Harbor Hawks a 4-2 lead that they would not relent for the rest of the game. Yorke was 2-4 with four RBIs and two walks in the matchup, helping boost the Harbor Hawks to a 15-5 victory.
Yorke wasn’t done yet, as he stepped up to the plate again in the sixth with Cam Smith on first base. After falling behind 1-2 in the count, Yorke pulled another ball to right field, this one finding its way out of the park for a two-run homer.
Yorke credited the “short porch” in right field for giving him his second homer of the season. Regardless of the distance, the ball landed over the fence and gave the Harbor Hawks another two runs.
Yorke worked a walk in the seventh inning before being intentionally walked in the eighth. Yorke made his way on base four times in this rout of a victory for Hyannis.
A regular at first base, Yorke was the designated hitter in tonight’s matchup. Yorke noted that he tried to keep the bat in his hand while the team was on defense, so he was ready to hit when his number was called.
“When I’m DH’ing, I’m just in the dugout with my gloves on and my bat in my hands at all times,” said Yorke.
Yorke has played 12 games this season for the Harbor Hawks, but if he were here for a little bit longer, he would be an All-Star shoo-in. Yorke leads the Harbor Hawks in batting average and OPS, while second on the team in slugging percentage and on-base percentage. Yorke is hitting .404 with a 1.027 OPS in 47 at-bats this summer.
“[Yorke]’s a good hitter. He was born to hit,” head coach Eric Beattie said. Coach Beattie also complimented Yorke on his play all season, noting how he stays loose and doesn’t give up with two strikes.
Yorke has been a large part of Hyannis’ recent success. The team is 9-2-1 since his arrival, and they have just reached 20 wins with this past victory.
Matt Coates can be reached at coatesm@misericordia.edu or followed on Twitter @MattCoates14
