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Thinking about the Major League Baseball Draft could be tempting. Kyle Datres looks like a near-lock to be selected this June and reaching a childhood dream is fast approaching.
But Datres is not thinking about the draft. And by doing so, the Loyalsock graduate is helping his cause. Datres is putting together the best season of his three-year collegiate career at North Carolina, hitting .352 and helping the Tar Heels earn the country's No. 10 ranking.
The future is bright, but by embracing the present Datres is potentially creating even more shine.
"I really haven't thought much about it since the season started. The best way I can help myself in the draft is go out and help my team win games in any way possible," Datres said. "People are always watching, so hopefully they will notice all of the little things that I do to try to make everyone around me better. I have not set a number or round yet to where I would like to be drafted but that will come as we get closer to the draft."
If Datres keeps building on what he has done so far in 2018, that round could keep growing higher. The three-year starting third baseman has become one of the North Carolina's most valuable players, providing quality offense and defense. Take him away and the Tar Heels' season would look a lot different.
Datres leads North Carolina in average, runs (47), doubles (12) and stolen bases (9). He also is second on the team in on-base percentage (.451) and his .352 batting average is sixth-best among ACC players. A batting title is still a possibility with Datres just .22 points behind the conference leader.
One of the best athletes the area has produced during the 2000s, Datres always has combined talent with a relentless work ethic. But why his average just jumped 90 points this season goes beyond those attributes. Essentially, he has cleared his mind and stopped being his own enemy.
"The game has definitely slowed down for me. After playing two full seasons on college ball and then competing up in the Cape (Cod League) this summer I have really learned to take the game one pitch at a time," Datres said. "As a freshman and sophomore I would let my first couple at-bats impact my next few at-bats. I have learned to deal with failure and move on to the next one because it is a long season. That's has really helped me turn my game around. I have always been so competitive that I would get upset with myself when things didn't go my way instead of just flushing it and moving on."
Datres moved on to North Carolina following a spectacular high school career in which he helped Loyalsock win the 2013 and 2014 Class AA state championships and reach three straight semifinals. He immediately started as a freshman and hit .250 with 23 RBIs. Datres made a big leap a year ago and hit .265 with seven home runs and 51 RBIs and North Carolina climbed as high as No. 2 in the country at one point.
Now everything is coming together. Datres is leading the team in hitting and being a leader, period. He is one of the team's most experienced players and has grown to embrace his new role.
"I have definitely stepped into that leadership role this year," Datres said. "After playing for two years I have been through the highs and the lows and I understand what it takes to win at this level. I think I have earned the respect of the guys on the team and they can look to me whenever they need to on or off the field."
What Datres wants now is to lead North Carolina to the College World Series. The Tar Heels were one of the favorites to do so last year but were stunned by Davidson at regionals. The loss left a scar but one that could benefit North Carolina this time around.
"Last year was a complete shock to all of us here in Chapel Hill. We had what it takes to play in Omaha and compete for a national title but things just didn't go our way," Datres said. "The one positive that comes from that is now we know what it's like to play in the postseason. We only had one guy on the roster last year that had ever played in a regional, so we will definitely have more experience this year and learn from last year. Coach always tells us, experience is what you get when you don't get what you want,' and that was last year for us."
Datres wants to play in the majors some day. But that is on the horizon. His future is now and he is focusing on North Carolina and potentially closing his collegiate career in the best fashion.
Playing professional baseball would be a lot of fun. But so is playing at North Carolina. And one better believe Datres is enjoying it.
"No matter what happens I will always be thankful for the skills and abilities that I was given to get this far in my baseball career," Datres said. "I am very lucky to be at UNC playing the game I love every day and receiving a top of the line education and I just want to thank all of my teammates, coaches and fans that have been with me along the way."
SURGING SOUTH: South Williamsport is heating up, winning six of its last seven games and pulling within a game of first place in the HAC-III. South (6-3, 5-2) went 3-0 last week, sandwiching a 6-0 win over Warrior Run between late-game comebacks against Southern Columbia and Hughesville. The Mounties erased three and two-run deficits against Southern and collected at least eight hits in each game.
Hunter Corbin's 3-run home run highlighted a five-run sixth inning Saturday as South defeated Hughesville, 6-2. Following a slow start, the offense has come alive and South is hitting a collective .302. Logan Burkett has been key to the resurgence, raising his average to .417.
EXTRA BASES: St. John Neumann appears capable of reaching the playoffs for just the third time in program history and has won three straight while moving into a tie for second in the Mid-Penn. The Knights routed both Bucktail and Benton last week as Brandon Loner threw two gems. Loner has won three straight in his debut season at Neumann and Malaki Parlante helped spark the offense, going 4 for 5 with seven RBIs. Loner struck out eight of the first nine batters he faced against Bucktail and Jaiden Cioffi went 3 for 3 with three RBIs … Neumann hosts Montgomery (6-4) Monday at Brandon Park in a matchup of teams who are 8-1 in their last nine collective games. Gage Yohn threw a four-hitter and homered in Monday's 12-2 win against Muncy while Jensen Drick added a 3-run home run … Muncy recovered from that loss in impressive fashion, winning its next three games. Coleman Good, Colby Alpaugh and Swazye Alpaugh hit fourth-inning home runs in Friday's 7-3 win over Bucktail and Good struck out seven in an 8-5 win against Sullivan County. Max Rymsza closed out both games, not allowing a run in three innings … Kipp Hillson homered, doubled and drove in three runs to help North Penn-Mansfield beat Sayre, 13-4. Dylan Wesneski hit two doubles.
Masse may be reached at cmasse@sungazette.com
Dr. Masse’s Top 5 Baseball Teams
1. Williamsport (6-4)
The Millionaires were off last week and are chasing their first league championship since 2001. They can earn if it if they win their last three league games, two coming this week against DuBois and Punxsutawney. Doing so also would likely earn it District 2-4 Class AAAAAA's top seed.
2. Jersey Shore (9-1)
Speaking of league championships, Jersey Shore has a chance to win its second straight HAC-I crown if it can beat rival and last year's co-champion Central Mountain today. The Bulldogs have won nine consecutive games and are 7-0 in league play after beating Selinsgrove, Midd-West and Shikellamy. The Bulldogs came from behind late to beat both the Seals and Braves. The offense is coming alive and Jersey Shore delivered 29 hits in those three wins. Dylan Young has provided a lift since returning to the lineup, going 6 for 10 with three RBIs. Mac Griswold and Koby Peacock also had strong weeks and hit home runs as did Colby Willits. Griswold produced an RBI in each game and went 5 for 9.
3. Loyalsock (6-2)
The Lancers have heated up following a 2-2 start and a loss at Lewisburg in which it squandered a late three-run lead. Loyalsock has won four straight since, outscoring the opposition, 31-12. The Lancers handed Montoursville its first HAC-II loss last Monday, pulling within one game of the league leaders and winning, 8-6. Hunter Webb went 3 for 3 with a home run and five RBIs and continued his assault in a 12-2 win at Milton when he hit a grand slam. Connor Watkins went 4 for 4 with four RBIs and Eric Holz improved to 3-0, holding an opponent to two runs or fewer for a third straight time.
"We really turned the corner after our Lewisburg loss," Loyalsock coach Zac Martin said. "When we went out at Mifflinburg and beat a very good Mifflinburg team it was a different team. Our older guys are steeping up and making sure everyone is on top of their stuff and everybody is fulfilling their role. We're ready to go as soon as we come off the bus.
4. Montoursville (7-2)
Dylan Bower helped recharge the Montoursville offense, delivering five hits last weekend as Montoursville scored 33 runs in nine at-bats against Milton and Northwest. Ryan Kessler earned his first win Saturday against Northwest and went 2 for 2 with three runs in the 14-0 Milton victory. Freshman Dylan Moll is having a good debut season and tripled against Milton while scoring three times and driving in two runs. Logan Ott improved to 3-0 that day and has been dominant thus far, surrendering only one run in 21 innings. The Warriors are trying to win their first HAC-II championship and have a good league test today, going on the road to play surging Danville.
5. Wellsboro (7-2)
A year after leading the area in wins, junior pitcher Johnny Rowland keeps excelling and improved to 4-0 when he threw a complete-game 6-hitter in a 4-2 victory against previously undefeated Sayre. It was a big win against the defending District 4 Class A champions and Wellsboro moved into a tie for first in the NTL-I. Rowland has 13 wins over the last two seasons and has compiled a 1.42 ERA this season while holding opponents to a .189 average.
Players of the Week
Tripp Breen, South and
Seth Huyler, Cowanesque Valley
Breen has been dominant over the last few weeks, winning four straight games and shutting down each opponent. He went 2-0 last week, allowing just one run and two hits in 13 1/3 innings. Breen threw a 1-hit shutout against Warrior Run, allowing only an infield single. The junior right-hander has surrendered just two runs and four hits over his last 20 1/3 innings and has struck out 26. Huyler was a force with his bat and his arm last week, helping the Indians win three straight games. Huyler went 6 for 6 with a home run and three doubles against both Port Allegany and Smethport. He overpowered Wyalusing as well on the mound, throwing a four-hit shutout against a team that had won two straight.
Game of the Week
Central Mountain at Jersey Shore
If the Bulldogs can defeat their rivals for a second time this season today, they win their second straight HAC-I championship. If Central Mountain wins, the Wildcats pull within a game and still have a shot at at least sharing the crown for a third consecutive season. Round 1 was a dandy as Jersey Shore held off a late comeback, threw out the tying runner at home in the seventh and left the tying run stranded on third in a 2-1 win.