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At the top of Nixa’s batting order, Michel and Russo could become dynamic duo

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Sam Russo is among the seemingly ever-growing influx of Nixa and Ozark players either already at State Fair or on their way to joining the Roadrunners.

There could be as many as eight, count ‘em eight, Nixa and Ozark grads on State Fair’s roster next season.

When State Fair played against Drury at U.S. Baseball Park last month, Russo was among the Eagles and Tigers to check the games out. The Roadrunners had stirred up plenty of interest after they totaled 25 home runs and 50 runs over a four-game series against Muskegon (Oklahoma) at the Versailles high school field.

Russo could eventually fit in well with State Fair’s power hitters. The Nixa center-fielder is optimistic he’ll have much more of a power stroke for his senior season this spring.

“I’ve put on a lot of weight, about 25 pounds,” Russo said. “I usually take everything ‘oppo,’ but recently I’ve been working on pulling the ball. I feel I can hit the ball further than last year. Last year was a good breakout year for me. I feel like I can do better. I’m ready to go and prepared, now that I have more experience.

“No more jitters,” he added. “I still have something to prove. But I feel confident and relaxed.”

Russo was rewarded with an All-COC First Team selection last season, after he rose to the challenge of being Nixa’s leadoff hitter better than anyone could have expected.

He shattered the Eagles’ single-season bases on balls record by drawing 28 walks. The old mark was 24. He banged out 25 singles among his 28 hits and scored 26 runs, while finishing with a .373 batting average and a .557 on-base percentage.

Russo’s walks record may stand for a good while. He’s not likely to approach that figure again, as he shuffles to the two-hole in Nixa’s batting order. Sophomore Rylan Michel will hit leadoff.

As a power threat, Russo expects to swing away more often than not.

“I’m not going to be undisciplined,” he said. “But if it comes my way, I’m going to hit it.”

Michel also isn’t likely to challenge Russo’s walks record. He has an aggressive mindset at-bat.

“I love being aggressive,” Michel said. “That’s the way I’ve always hit. If it’s in the strike zone, I want to hit it hard.”

Michel earned a starting job in Nixa’s outfield as a freshman midway through last season. He supplied a potent bat to an Eagles lineup starving for extra-base hits. He finished with a .311 batting mark, two doubles, one triple and eight RBIs in 45 at-bats.

This will be Michel’s first go-around hitting first. He’s primarily been in the middle of lineups.

“It’s a big step for me,” he said. “It’s going to be a lot different hitting first. Batting third or fourth, you’re usually going to see more off-speed pitches. Usually, you see a first-pitch fast ball to start every game. If I see a first-pitch fastball, I’m going to hit it hard. I want to jump on a fast ball when I see it.”

Michel combines power with speed. He only had two stolen bases last year, but as he showed as a big-play wide receiver for Nixa’s football team last fall, he possesses breakaway speed.

“Hopefully, I’m going to steal a lot this year,” Michel said. “I didn’t steal many bases last year because there was usually someone ahead of me on base.”

He plans to force the the issue by putting pressure on the defense, whether he is running or not.

“When I take a lead, I take three or four steps. I’m usually a good 10-15 feet off that bag,” Michel said. “I get a big lead, so I’ve got to be quick to get back. It’s about watching the pitcher’s back foot.

“It’s always good to challenge them,” he added. “If you put pressure on them, sometimes they’re going to make (a wild) throw and then can get to second base and maybe even third.”

 


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