The stage is bigger, the lights brighter, the audience more discriminating.
When you’re a college junior forecast to go high in June's major league draft, every groundball, every throw, every at-bat is scutinized by scouts who will determine your potential in professional baseball.
“Everybody handles it differently,” said Old Dominion coach Chris Finwood. “I’ve seen it (negatively) affect the season of a player who has a chance to be a high draft pick.”
That isn't happening with Monarchs shortstop Zach Rutherford, who is having his best college season as a junior, batting .338, with a team-leading 13 doubles and 29 RBIs, which ties Kyle Battle for the team lead.