Minisink Valley coach Bruce Guyette uses a little bit of psychology when talking to his players about their approach in the batter’s box.
“Coach Guyette always tells us to go in with an empty mind and a full bat,” Minisink Valley senior shortstop MacKenzie Wise.
Wise’s bat has been more than full this season. It’s been loaded: She’s hitting .411 (7-for-17), including a 2-for-3 performance in a 2-1 win over Newburgh on Thursday. Batting average aside, Wise has something else to be excited about: She has verbally committed to play at Division II Dominican College in Rockland County next year on a partial athletic scholarship.
“It’s definitely a blessing,” said Wise, a three-year starter for Minisink Valley. “It’s exciting to be one of those kids who get to play in college. It’s a great opportunity.”
Wise will sign her national letter of intent next week at Minisink Valley. Dominican is 13-20 this year, including 11-8 in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. Wise said she will play somewhere in the infield for Dominican.
As for her hot start, Wise said: “It’s just confidence. I approach every at-bat thinking about past successes. You don’t want to go in there and overthink anything.”