By Walker Posey
walker@newsroom.byu.edu
Torii Hunter stepped up as Salt Lake's big hitter in Monday (June 26) night's Buzz win over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Hunter cranked a grand slam and a three-run homer to boost the Buzz to an 11-8 victory over the Sky Sox.
'Spring got my confidence back,' said Hunter. That confidence was definitely obvious on Monday, when in the bottom of the third inning Hunter, with the bases loaded, hit a home run over right field to tie the game at 5-5.
Again, in the bottom of the seventh inning, Hunter's confidence was evidenced with a three-run jack over right field after which he rounded the bases pumping his fists with excitement.
Hunter was quick to note that the fist pumping was not an in-your-face jester towards the opposing team, rather it was just pure excitement. 'I felt like I was in the College World Series but I never went to college,' Hunter said. 'It was a clutch hit.'
Buzz team manager Phil Roof was definitely impressed with Hunter's hitting expo stating, 'It was pretty incredible.' Said Roof, 'he makes our ball club a better ball club.'
Hunter, although fairly new to the Buzz organization, is no stranger to clutch hits or to grand slams. Hunter recalled that he hit a grand slam off of Tim Wakefield, the Boston Red Sox pitcher, last year while playing for the Minnesota Twins. 'I'll never forget that,' said Hunter.
The Buzz have had several players step up in recent games, coming through with big plays and huge hits.
Brian Buchanan, for example, hit five three-run homers in four games last week while Mario Valdez continued boosting his batting average with hits and homers.
Valdez is the league's leading hitter with an average of .369 and is in the top four in league in RBI's with 65.
The Salt Lake team has definitely come together establishing a league leading division record of 49-29. 'Everyone's taking their turn,' said Roof. With so many solid players, the Buzz team continues to increase in depth and ability.
While Monday's game turned out sweet for the Buzz the Sky Sox left with a bitter taste in their mouth, due to Mario Valdez's controversial home run.
In the bottom of the eighth inning Valdez's hit a home run that appeared to hit the top of the right field fence, bouncing back into the outfield. It was ruled by the umpire to have been knocked over the fence and ricocheted back onto the field.
Sky Sox manager Chris Cron was extremely unhappy with this decision and after a colorful confrontation with the umpires was ejected from the game.
The Buzz's four-game series with the Sky Sox will continue until Thursday, June 29, with each game starting at 7:00 p.m. at Franklin Covey Field.