During last season’s World Series run, nearly every move Emporia State coach Bob Fornelli made turned out perfect.
Going on feel and instincts, Fornelli would plug a guy into a spot, and that player would be the one to swing a hot bat that day.
“Coach has got feeling and he runs with it, and he’s pretty much right on with those feelings,” senior Chris Dobler said. “... He just got his 600th win, so you can’t really doubt the guy.”
This season Fornelli has not lost his touch, and he has had plenty of decisions to make day in and day out, particularly at designated hitter.
The options would make most coaches envious. Against right-handed pitchers, Fornelli can go with the left-handed Dobler, who leads the team with a .404 average, or left-handed Tyler Herrig, who is hitting .357 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in only 16 at-bats.
Against left-handers, Fornelli can got with right-handed bats Marc Albers, who is third on the team with a .376 average, or Calder Cody, who is hitting .338 and is tied for the team lead with 10 doubles and has five home runs.
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