FAYETTEVILLE — Gordon Miller acknowledges returning to American Legion baseball after his freshman year of college has made the game seem easier in some respects.
He sure made it look easy Monday afternoon, going 4-for-4 with a walk and driving in four runs to help Fayetteville Lindsey & Associates claim its fifth consecutive Zone 1 title with a 15-5 victory over Mountain Home.
The left-handed first baseman bounced a single up the middle to drive in a run in the first inning, then hammered a two-run single past the shortstop in the second. He walked and scored in the third, singled again in the fifth and banged an RBI triple off the right-field wall in the sixth.
Fayetteville coach Ashley Patrick isn’t surprised, given Miller’s work ethic.
“Gordon’s always trying to get better and help others get better as well,” Patrick said. “He’s been a big part of leading us to the state tournament again.”
PROFILE
Gordon Miller
Team: Fayetteville Lindsey & Associates Dodgers
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 200
Position: First Base
Notable: Leads Fayetteville with 35 RBIs and also has six home runs. ... Led Arkansas-Fort Smith with eight homers and 40 RBIs and hit .311 as a freshman.
Miller, who’s added 10 pounds and started every game at Arkansas-Fort Smith in the spring, said he learned a great deal about the game during his first year of college.
“I know so much more now,” said Miller, who led UAFS with eight home runs and 40 RBIs. “What I didn’t know before seems so natural now.”
But some things haven’t changed, such as Miller’s role for the Lindsey Dodgers.
“They want me to come and get timely hits, drive in runs out of the three or four hole,” Miller said.
That hasn’t been a problem, either. Following Monday’s performance, he’s hitting above .400 with six homers and a team-high 35 RBIs.
But Miller, who played at Springdale Har-Ber, admitted he had a stretch this summer when he didn’t hit the ball as well. “I started out good, was shaky in the middle, but now I’m starting to see the ball real well again,” Miller said.
It could have been that steady diet of off-speed and breaking stuff Miller sees from most pitchers. Even he acknowledges some frustration at times.
“You just want to see that flat (fast) ball,” Miller said.
Patrick is pleased to see Miller back because of his physical gifts, but his leadership qualities also make him a valuable part of the team.
“Gordon’s just very consistent and a very good leader,” Patrick said. “He elevates the level of play for the whole team. Players know he’s played a year in college.”
Miller’s not afraid to correct a teammate, either, but he also has their respect, Patrick said.
“If they aren’t doing what they’re supposed to be doing, he’ll call players out,” Patrick said. “He doesn’t let things slide by. Gordon’s a tough competitor. His teammates see that. He leads by example in that respect.
“He helps players as well. If he sees something in a swing, he talks to them. It’s just invaluable to have him as that leader for the position players especially.”
Patrick is hopeful Miller can help propel Fayetteville Lindsey all the way to a state title, beginning Friday.
At A Glance
Senior American Legion State Baseball Tournament
WHEN: Friday-Tuesday
WHERE: Burns Park, North Little Rock
Friday
Game 1: Cabot vs. Benton, 10 a.m.
Game 2: Mountain Home vs. Texarkana, 1 p.m.
Game 3: West Memphis vs. Fayetteville, 4:30 p.m.
Game 4: Jonesboro vs. North Little Rock Colts, 8 p.m.
Saturday
Game 5: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 3, 10 a.m.
Game 6: Loser Game 2 vs. Loser Game 4, 1 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 3, 4:30 p.m.
Game 8: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 4, 8 p.m.
Sunday
Game 9: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 7, 1:30 p.m.
Game 10: Winner Game 5 vs. Loser Game 8, 4:30 p.m.
Game 11: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, 8 p.m.
Monday
Game 12: Winner Game 9 vs. Loser game 11, 5 p.m.
Game 13: Winner Game 10 vs. Winner Game 11, 8 p.m.
Tuesday
Game 14: Winner Game 12 vs. Winner Game 13, 5 p.m.
Game 15: Winner Game 14 vs. Loser Game 14 (if necessary), 8 p.m.