Sara hits 3 home runs against South County on May 9.
West Potomac sophomore Jamie Sara, right, is greeted at home plate by teammates Billy Lescher (22) and Rocky Iboleon (15) after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning against West Springfield on May 13. Photo by Craig Sterbutzel.
Earlier in the 2014 season, West Potomac sophomore Jamie Sara was a part-time player with a propensity for striking out.
When the Wolverines hosted Annandale on May 8, Sara played in the field, but head coach Jim Sullivan replaced Sara in the lineup with a designated hitter. The following evening, Sara had what he described as a “terrible” batting-practice session prior to West Potomac’s game against South County. Sara would bat in the No. 8 spot in the order against the Stallions, a spot not usually occupied by hitters with prodigious power.
Whatever adjustments Sara made during the game proved successful as the 6-foot-3, 180-pounder smacked three home runs during a 6-0 victory against the defending Patriot District champions.
On May 13, West Potomac traveled to face first-place West Springfield for the Wolverines’ regular-season Conference 7 finale. In the top of the first inning, Sara, battling cleanup for West Potomac, jumped on the first pitch he saw from Spartans left-hander Tim Yonkers and blasted a two-run bomb toward the parking lot past the fence in left field at Tugwell Yards. It was the third baseman’s fifth home run of the season.
Did Sara know it was gone?
What’s up with No. 13’s recent power surge? Sullivan said he thinks Sara is swinging with more control.
West Potomac senior Michael Barnes started on the mound against West Springfield on May 13. The game was suspended in the fourth inning due to lightning.
Sara’s powerful bat is a welcomed addition for a West Potomac baseball team that entered Tuesday’s contest with West Springfield as the No. 2 seed in Conference 7. The Spartans built a 6-3 lead before play was suspended due to lightning in the fourth inning. The teams were scheduled to finish the game on Wednesday. West Springfield would secure the No. 1 seed with a win over West Potomac or a win over Woodson on Friday during the Spartans’ regular-season finale.
West Potomac entered Tuesday’s game with a 12-6 record, including 8-3 against conference opponents. The Wolverines had won six of their last seven games.
One of the primary reasons for West Potomac’s success has been the pitching duo of Billy Lescher and Michael Barnes.
Early in the season, Sullivan said the Wolverines had their sights set on a conference title. While it is unlikely West Potomac will catch West Springfield in the regular-season standings, the Wolverines can turn their attention to the Conference 7 tournament, which begins Monday, May 19.
West Potomac ‘Unearns’ Victory Over T.C.