CARLY McCULLOUGH/Boise Hawks The Boise Hawks’ Kyle Datres, a Loyalsock graduate, takes an at bat during a game last Friday against the Vancouver Canadians. Datres was drafted by the Colorado Rockies this year.

BOISE, Idaho — To say it’s been a busy last two months for Kyle Datres would be an understatement. The Loyalsock graduate had his spring semester come to end in mid-May, but that was just the beginning. In addition, Datres helped his North Carolina team reach the College World Series, then was drafted in the 12th round by the Colorado Rockies and is now getting his professional baseball career underway with the Boise Hawks of the Northwest League in Idaho.

“The end of the (school) year was kind of crazy for me,” Datres said. “College ball went so well, coming to an end at the College World Series. I went back to school for one day, then I got to go home to Pennsylvania for two days. Before I knew it, I was out here. Everything was so fast and crazy, I kind of just had to go with the flow. Now that I’m here and kind of settled in, everything is going well. I’m happy to be here.”

Playing in 12 games at the short-season Class A level, Datres has a .239 batting average to go along with two homers and six runs batted in. He made a splash in his debut on July 1 by going 2 for 5 with a home run. More impressively, he has struck out only twice in 46 at bats entering this week.

In the field, Datres has seen the majority of his playing time at second base, compared to college where he played third base for the Tar Heels. A minor injury has kept Datres out of the lineup since last Friday.

“I was probably here for about four or five days, just getting used to everything and not playing at all,” Datres said. “I was traveling with the guys and getting to know everyone. Then, I finally got in the lineup and on my first day got off to a good start. That always helps to get things going. The year started off well, and I’m excited to get things going.”

The top highlight for Datres so far in 2018 was beating Stetson to secure a spot in the College World Series. He was able to draw a comparison to a special event that takes place in his backyard every August.

“There’s nothing quite like that,” Datres said of playing in Omaha. “Growing up around the Little League World Series is awesome, because you can see how those kids are kind of living out the dream. I was kind of that big kid at the College World Series. It was the same feeling. You’re on cloud nine and there is nothing quite like it. The atmosphere there was awesome. Just to be there with your teammates, knowing the hard work we put in all year paid off. It meant a lot and it was a great experience.”

Where winning is emphasized at the college level, player development becomes more of the focus at the minor league level as players try to advance. However, Datres offered an interesting take and believes the two can go hand-in-hand.

“It’s a little bit of both,” he said. “Obviously, if you’re doing the right things, you’re helping your team win and that’s ultimately what it comes down to. They’re going to want to see you advance runners. If someone is on third, you’re looking to get him in rather than get a base hit. It’s just small things like that. But, you do want to get better each day so you can work your way up the system.”

Like every other minor league player has experienced, Datres has already endured some long bus rides throughout the mountainous terrain of Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon and Vancouver, British Columbia. It’s all part of the job of pursuing your dream to someday play in the majors.

“The bus rides are pretty brutal,” Datres said. “You’re on the bus anywhere from eight to thirteen hours. Then you get off the bus and have to be ready to play. Then you’re in a hotel, and it’s kind of crazy how everything works. But if you play well, you’ll get out of here soon enough.”