BY JERRY LIPTAK

It is down the road. It requires patience and perseverance.

Jeff Miller knows his John Stark baseball team needs to think about it. Indeed, winning will come.

These days, though, you can hear Miller exhorting his club to “think out there.” It’s a more urgent call to concentrate during each inning, before each pitch.

“They’re young and down on themselves," said the first-year mentor following the team’s 10-2 loss to Plymouth Regional on Monday, April 30. “We have to strip all that away.”

That’s what you’ll see Miller doing with his charges, from the bench or the third-base coach’s box – and with good reason.

In his third appearance this season, Kevin LeBlond delivered his best performance, said Miller. LeBlond allowed nine runs. Two were earned.

He was removed after a wind-aided home run to right field with one out in the seventh inning. It was his 127th pitch. Miller immediately pulled LeBlond aside and offered the tough-luck hurler well-earned praise.

“He pitched an outstanding game,” said the coach. “He’s been struggling with his confidence, but I was encouraged by his effort.”

There were flashes at – and behind – the plate as well.

Joey Plunckett opened the bottom of the first with a booming double to right, stole third and ignited a two-run inning for a quick 2-0 Stark lead.

Tom Vickers had two hits, including a line-drive double through the wind and past Plymouth's diving left fielder.

Stark catcher Nick Heafield threw out two Bobcat runners, one each in the second and third innings.
But Miller also had to watch his team commit seven errors in the field.

“We just can’t give teams four and five outs an inning,” said the coach. “Not right now.”

But in time, with that General talent and some persistence, winning will out.