Murrow, Weir to walk onto ACC baseball team

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Sports

July 30, 2014 - 12:00 AM

Iola’s AA American Legion Post 15 baseball team may have wrapped up its season last week, but key contributors Derrick Weir and Alex Murrow will continue to play at Allen Community College next year.
Both Weir and Murrow will be walking on to the team.
“My thoughts are that he has done everything and more than what we thought he would do,” said Roland Weir, American Legion coach and Derrick’s father. “He’s exceeded expectations. He’s gotten better defensively. He’s still got some things he needs to work on.”
Weir was a catcher for Iola High School and the Legion squad. Clint Stoy, ACC’s coach, has talked to him about switching to first base, and possibly designated hitting for the pitcher.
“He’s a competitive kid, he doesn’t like to lose,” Coach Weir said. “He works hard at practice, he works hard after practice. His best attribute is probably his hitting right now, he’s very disciplined at the plate and has great plate awareness. He’s not intimidated by any pitcher out there.”
Weir showed great plate discipline for both the Mustangs and Indians.
“My senior year I struck out one time in high school and three times in Legion,” Derrick said. “I don’t know what it is, I just don’t like striking out.”
Derrick is happy for the opportunity and plans to make the most of it. He would like  play baseball for all four years of college. He also said that it would be nice to already know a face, Hunter Murrow, before everything gets started.
This past Legion season, Weir put up some lofty numbers. He batted .489 with three home runs and 53 RBIs, leading the team in all three categories. He had 44 hits in 103 plate appearances.

MURROW also had a solid year at the plate. As the leadoff hitter for the Indians, he had a .450 on-base percentage and hit for a .302 average. He scored 34 runs and had 13 RBIs, along with 21 stolen bases.
Murrow played for Humboldt High School along with the Indians, playing shortstop on both teams. Murrow said that he will play middle infield for ACC.
“I’ve only been around Hunter one year,” Coach Weir said. “He’s got a terrific attitude, great work ethic. He’s got very soft hands for a middle infielder. He’s got a smooth swing at the plate.”
Murrow said former Allen coach Val McLean first approached him about walking on for the Red Devils.
“(Clint Stoy) also came and watched me a couple times,” Murrow said. “I went down to the college and had a couple visits.”
Murrow said the change of atmosphere along with meeting new people will be the biggest challenge.
“I think it will be fun, but it’s just going to be new,” he said.
As far as baseball knowledge is concerned, Murrow’s came from his high school coaches, and also his dad, Sam.
“There was really never a time when we weren’t practicing on the field,” Murrow said.

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