Caledonia head coach Travis Garner knew where to turn in clutch time.
Trailing 2-1 in the Confederates’ second round matchup against New Hope, senior Beau Bates stepped to the plate.
Bates then ripped a first-pitch fastball onto the buildings overlooking the outfield to tie the game at two.
“We talk to our kids about answering back,” Garner said. “Well, we were behind for one pitch and Beau tied it up. Before you could even realize that we were behind, the ball went out onto that building out there somewhere and we had it tied.”
Bates was similarly stellar at the plate in game two, finishing 3-for-4 with three singles — one of which helped the Confederates to the brink of forcing a game three.
Overall, he finished the weekend 7-for-9 with a home run, four runs and two stolen bases.
Bates has been named the Dispatch Prep Player of the Week for his efforts.
“Very, very impressive weekend,” Garner said. “And he’s been that way for us all year.”
A silent worker, Garner said that Bates could constantly be found putting in extra work in the batting cages.
“When your best player is your hardest-working player, it makes your job easy as a coach,” Garner said. “And that’s what he is.”
Bates has also been a prolific pitcher for the Confederates this season. He finished the season with a 2.98 ERA in 40 innings pitched. Bates also threw three complete games.
While his high school career is over following last Saturday’s loss to New Hope, Bates will head to East Mississippi to continue his baseball career.
“He’s one of the first ones out here,” Garner said. “He’s not too good to tow equipment or go get equipment or set something up. He just quietly goes about his business and we’ll miss him for sure.”
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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