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Baseball
Button, Hicks Improving Game While Helping Danville Compete For Title
July 26, 2006 OXFORD, Miss. -
For Evan Button and Devin Hicks, the road to Danville took two slightly different routes through Oxford, but the pair of Rebels have their sights set on the same destination.
Both players hope the summer experience of playing for the Danville Dans will have them ready to compete for a spot in the lineup for the Rebels in the fall and contribute to another championship on the diamond. But first, the duo are locked in on a title for their summer league team.
Heading into a Wednesday night showdown with Dubois, the Danville Dans hold a two-game lead for the Central Illinois Collegiate League title.
"It's nice to be in the lead for the league title, but I expected us to be competitive because we are a part of a great team," Button said of playing for a title with the Dans. "Winning a title so soon after winning the SEC Tournament would be great, but realistically, I think Devin and I are both looking at this as a chance to improve our individual skills while still playing competitive ball."
After serving in a utility role for the Rebels as a freshman, playing some infield, outfield and designated hitter, Button has found a home at shortstop for the Dans. He has started 29 of 30 games and posted a .248 average with a home run and 12 RBI. He's also put up solid fielding numbers at short, turning in only seven errors in 133 chances.
He's hoping the time at short, a position he played in high school, will make him an even more versatile player and add one more weapon to the Rebels roster for the next season.
"I could tell I hadn't played infield in a while, but this has been great because it's helped me get into a rhythm again and remember what it's like to play in the infield," Button said. "Working infield during the season in warm-ups with the coaches and Zack Cozart has really been a great learning experience, and I think that's carried over."
"I had a goal coming into the season that I wanted to lead the league in steals," Button said. "I'm leading the team and have just been doing the things I can to be successful on the basepath and show that my speed can be something to help win games."
Despite the personal goals and success, Button said it's been exciting to play ball with Hicks this summer. The Rebels anchor the left side of the infield for Danville as Hicks has started 29-of-30 games played at third base.
"It's been a lot of fun to play up here," Button said. "We're playing on the left side. It's nice to look up and see a friendly face standing there with me. It definitely makes it more comfortable. We are both having a great time out there."
Hicks has been successful this summer as well after spending a red-shirt season with the Rebels. It's an experience that the third baseman feels has made him a better athlete and put him in a position to help both his summer league team and Ole Miss in the upcoming year.
"It feels great to be playing every day," Hicks said. "It was tough at first to know I would have a year to red-shirt, but I gained from it. I have gotten stronger and tougher through that red-shirt season with all the work I put in off the field and in practice."
Hicks is hitting .232 on the year with a home run and 13 RBI. He has also drawn 20 walks on the year, tying him for fourth in the leagu. He has also posted six doubles to date.
"I've never hit a home run with a wooden bat before, so that was an amazing feeling," Hicks said. "It is definitely something that should add a little more confidence to my swing when I get back to Oxford."
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