Maybe if we stopped trying to reach everyone that they are homerun hitters. What if we just let a kid like Lala be who he is…and get in base in front of guys like YoYo.
From UT:
Lala, a senior from Tampa, Fla., was presented as a third-team All-American by ABCA/Rawlings. The top hitter in the SSC was also a third-team D2CCA All-American. Finishing the season with a .445 batting average, Lala was also a first-team all-SSC selection. He was also named first-team ABCA/Rawlings, NCBWA and D2CCA all-region. He set a school record with 79 runs scored in 2023 while his batting average went down as third in Spartan history. Lala was also the team leader with 32 stolen bases, 54 walks and a .569 on-base percentage. His walks also place him fifth in the nation, and first in the SSC. Lala also led the SSC in on-base percentage, OPS (1.109, .569OB%-.540SLG%), runs and stolen bases (32). He also excelled defensively with a .972 fielding percentage as his 104 putouts led all UT outfielders. He performed against top competition, hitting .435 with a .565 on-base percentage against ranked opponents.