He isn’t known for his offense. His job is to handle the pitching staff and make sure the defense is on the same page. He is steady behind the dish. Nothing gets behind him and he throws out his share of runners. But when senior catcher Brian McFadden started to swing a hot bat, Jackson High School baseball coach Mike Walsh took notice. Batting as low as No. 7 in the Jaguars’ lineup, McFadden’s recent promotion to the No. 3 spot has sparked Jackson’s offense.
The switch has made a difference in Jackson’s run production. Last week, with McFadden batting third, Jackson won three of four games to keep its state tournament hopes alive. McFadden played an important role in the Jackson victories.
"His bat has really come around as of late," Walsh said. "All of a sudden he’s hitting the ball better than he ever has. We can’t explain it, but it has been a good thing for us."
McFadden’s batting average is close to .400, Walsh said. He delivered timely hits, including two home runs, in all three of Jackson’s victories last week.
"Two weeks ago he was batting below .300," Walsh said. "I don’t know if he is seeing the ball better or what. I know lately he’s not chasing any bad pitches. His eye has improved tremendously. Also, the fact that he is batting in the No. 3 spot may mean he’s seeing better pitches."
McFadden had three doubles in the 5-3 win against Toms River South. In a 7-1 triumph over Marlboro, he hit a towering home run. His top performance of the week came in a 12-0 shutout over Lacey Township. McFadden went three for four with a home run, a double and three runs batted in.
"It was his day," Walsh said. "He drove the ball every time at the plate. Hopefully he continues on the streak he is on. We need him to deliver as we fight to make the playoffs.
"He’s a smarter hitter now," Walsh added. "He’s not chasing curves out of the zone. He is waiting on the fastball. His approach to batting has developed over the past few weeks."
McFadden has been the cornerstone of Jackson’s defense for the past two seasons. He is one of the better defensive catchers in the Shore Conference. He has thrown out at least 12 would-be base stealers in 14 games.
"He is very good defensively," Walsh said. "He has a strong accurate arm. Base runners are careful with him. He’s cut down some of the quicker kids in the conference."