By Staff
POWER HITTER – Meridian's Torry Bates currently is batting .452 out of 106 official at bats. Photo by Carisa McCain/The Meridian Star
By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
April 26, 2002
Some day in the near future, Torry Bates hopes to help design some nice new shining office buildings in Meridian. Bates has already put his drafting skills to work and wants to become an architect.
But on the baseball diamond, the Meridian High School senior is known as a demolition man. He is demolishing opposing team's pitchers.
Check out the numbers.
Bates is batting .452 out of 106 official at bats. He has driven in 47 runs in 36 games, more than one per game. He has 22 extra base hits including eight home runs, 13 doubles and three triples. His slugging percentage is at .820.
Bates is no fun if you're an opposing pitcher. This week, Bates and his Wildcat teammates are seeking a pass into the Class 5A South State Championship series. Moss Point stands in the way with the second round series beginning Friday in Moss Point.
It was his eighth homer of the season.
Meridian head coach Vince McLemore says Bates has a chance to become an excellent college hitter.
Bates can also pitch. He is in fact, Meridian's No. 2 starter behind Jason Spinks. On the season, he is 8-1 with a 1.63 earned run average. He has fanned 40 batters in 51 1/3 innings pitched. He is expected to pitch Saturday's game two with Moss Point at John Moss Field.
Schools like Jackson State and Alcorn State have inquired about Bates. He has also drawn attention from East Mississippi and Meridian Community College.
Bates has done his work in the classroom compiling a solid 3.1 grade-point average. He is awaiting a score on his American College Test.
Architecture and drafting will be his field of choice.