STARKVILLE — It hasn’t always been easy for Elih Marrero.
The Mississippi State freshman learned early on how tough it is to hit at the Division I level, especially when you’re trying to catch a Southeastern Conference pitching staff. Marrero struggled at the plate, but he showed he could handle his position defensively.
In the last five games, though, Marrero is hitting .769 (10-for-13) with three RBIs. Marrero hopes to keep his hitting going this weekend when No. 5 MSU (18-7-1, 4-2 SEC) plays host to No. 13 Ole Miss (20-5, 2-4). Game 1 of the three-game weekend series will be at 6:30 p.m. today. Game 2 will be at 2 p.m. Saturday. Game 3 will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. SEC Network+ will broadcast all of the games.
“I wouldn’t really call it a slump,” Marrero said. “I barreled up some balls. It just wasn’t going my way. It’s all about just keeping a good attitude throughout the whole process.”
Marrero’s mind-set was tested in his first 17 games when he hit .196 (11-for-56) with four RBIs.
MSU coach John Cohen knew Marrero was going to hit when he saw him compete at Coral Gables Senior High School. He also witnessed glimpses of what Marrero was capable of at the plate in the fall and early in spring.
“I thought at the beginning he was a little overwhelmed, trying to do too much,” Cohen said. “But the guy can hit. He has a very simple approach and inevitably that wins out. The more simple you are with your approach on the mound, defensively, and at home plate you’re going to have success, and I think that’s what he’s been able to do.”
Marrero has raised his batting average to .304 and has become an integral part of the team’s success. His tear began last Tuesday when he was 2-for-2 against Mississippi Valley State. Last weekend against Georgia, Marrero was 5-for-7. He continued the streak with a 3-for-4 showing Tuesday against Southern Mississippi at Trustmark Park in Pearl.
Junior first baseman Nathaniel Lowe said Cohen approached him before the season started and told him the season was a marathon and there were going to be times he “stubbed his toe,” but he needed to push through and continue to run.
Lowe has seen that from Marrero.
“For a first-year guy it shows a lot of maturity,” Lowe said. “Elih’s not a thinker, he’s just a player, so things are working out for him because he’s playing hard.
“Things are starting to pay off for him. Elih’s sticking with his approach and things are starting to pay off.”
After getting three hits in his first eight games, Marrero had a good showing early in March in Los Angeles. He was 0-for-0 with a hit by pitch against UCLA, but he went 5-for-8 against Southern California and Oklahoma to gain confidence, but it didn’t carry over.
That’s when Cohen saw Marrero’s persistence.
“He gets it. He knows it’s a long haul. He knows it’s a marathon, it’s not a sprint,” Cohen said. “Most freshmen don’t (get that). Most of them get into panic mode, and he’s just not one of those kids.”
Marrero, whose father, Eli, played 10 years in Major League Baseball, said the motivation he has received from his teammates has aided his turnaround.
“I’ve been having some great at-bats, all due to the guys,” Marrero said. “The guys on the team keep motivating me, keep helping me with my hitting. Without the hard work from them, I wouldn’t be doing as great as I am.”
Marrero said he knew he wanted to be a catcher from an early age after watching his father. Catcher is one of the most difficult defensive positions, but Marrero said he loves it becomes he is in the middle of every play.
Early on, Marrero was focusing on each pitcher and fielding his position and then thinking about offense.
“They were always telling me, ‘Make sure you take care of the pitcher and catch me a winner,’ ” Marrero said. “That’s what’s important. I’m going to hit. Everybody knows I’m going to hit, but my job is to take care of the pitcher.”
Marrero, who was the opening day starter, has proven he belongs behind the plate and now he has proven he belongs in the lineup. Marrero is hitting his stride offensively and hopes the struggles are behind him.
“It’s good confidence,” Marrero said. “If it wasn’t for the help of the guys on the team, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing right now.”
n MSU will stick with the same pitching rotation this weekend. Junior right-hander Dakota Hudson (3-1, 1.13 ERA) will start today, while junior right-hander Austin Sexton (2-1, 3.72) will start Saturday. Sunday’s starter hasn’t been announced.
Ole Miss will go with junior right-hander Brady Bramlett (4-1, 2.90) today, junior right-hander Chad Smith (2-2, 4.80) on Saturday, and junior right-hander Sean Johnson (3-0, 1.96) on Sunday.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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