Spring Break
Filling in when needed
Freshman Nick Ahmed replaces injured Mike Olt at shortstop
Kevin Vellturo
Issue date: 4/20/09 Section: Sports
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"To be a freshman shortstop is an awful lot," Penders said. "But he has an awful lot of a confidence and he's done a very good job and been very consistent."
Ahmed's impact was felt on Friday's 9-5 victory over Georgetown. With one man on in the bottom of the third, Ahmed hit a towering two-run home run that gave the Huskies a 9-1 lead. The home run, Ahmed's second of the year is uncharacteristic - Penders said the batter does not usually hit for power.
"He's got some some athleticism which Michael [Olt] obviously does too," Penders said. "He doesn't normally hit for power but he got some backspin on one and managed to get it out of here."
Ahmed also came through in Saturday's 10-2 win. From the leadoff spot Ahmed went two-for-four, including a double and scored two runs.
Ahmed's strong defense makes him a natural shortstop. The change from third base was welcome.
"He's a shortstop," said Penders. "He probably had a harder time going to third than he did going to short."
Prior to moving to shortstop Ahmed had been splitting time at third with Dale Brannon. He says the move has made for more comfortable playing.
"Me and Dale were kind of rotating in at third base and I'd never played third before this year," Ahmed said. "It was an easy transition."
Despite being young and filling in for a veteran player - Ahmed does not feel any added pressure.
"I'm just trying to come out and work hard in practice," Ahmed said. "I've been playing shortstop my whole life."
Though he has stepped up as of late, Ahmed has been producing all year. The Massachusetts native is currently fifth on the team with a .314 average and is second in stolen bases with eight.
His defense has been solid. Most of his nine errors happened while he was getting used to third base, something Penders attributes to inexperience.
"He's done a very good job defensively," Penders said. "He's a very confident player. He's not afraid to make mistakes and he's not afraid to make plays and that's something that I like to see in all of our guys."
There is still an aspect of Ahmed's game which has yet to be explored. Ahmed is listed a a pitcher and an infielder. As a senior on the East Longmeadow, Mass., baseball team, he was named Republican Pitcher of the year with a career record of 21-3 while in high school.
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