Firebirds’ Leadoff Hitter Shupe A Tone-Setter

COTUIT – Cape Cod Baseball League hitters always feel pressure to perform, but there is an even heavier burden for leadoff hitters.

Leadoff hitters are not only tasked with setting the tone as their team’s first batter of the game, but they also can provide a spark in the later innings when they return to the plate with an opportunity to start a rally with the heart of the batting order behind them.

Orleans infielder Hudson Shupe embraces the role. After batting leadoff at Gonzaga University, the versatile infielder from West Richland, Wash. has established himself as one of the Firebirds’ best hitters while occupying one of the most important spots in the team’s batting order.

“As Huddy goes, we’re gonna go,” Orleans manager Kelly Nicholson said. “I’m looking for a [leadoff hitter] that can get on base and can run up counts. He fits that role as well as anybody right now. He’s not a great runner, but he works counts and has a good approach when he gets to two strikes. He’s been swinging the bat really well.”

Shupe was recently named an East Division All-Star after hitting a team-best .319 during his first 27 games on the Cape. He leads Orleans in on-base percentage (.392) and ranks second on the club in runs scored (13) and slugging percentage (.374).

Shupe’s Cape League success comes after he hit .289 with 44 hits and 24 RBIs in 37 games for Gonzaga this spring. He was sidelined for a good portion of the spring after he broke his hamate bone in his right hand after being hit by a pitch in his final at-bat of Gonzaga’s opener.

“It’s big for me,” Shupe said. “I was injured in the spring, so to come out here and start producing the way I think I should has been big. Trusting my process has been the key for me.”

Shupe said another key to his success has been remaining focused on the task.

“Staying inside myself and not trying to do too much,” he said regarding the adjustments he has made on the Cape. “I also had to get used to the pitching out here, because it’s really good. It’s elite.”

The second baseman has been among the Cape’s hottest hitters lately. He ranks fifth in the league with a .316 batting average over the past week, and the six hits he recorded during that time ranks him third among Cape League batters.

While he’s always excited to step into the batter’s box and prove himself, Shupe acknowledged there is extra motivation to do well as the Firebirds’ leadoff batter, a position he also held while playing at Gonzaga.

“There’s always motivation to go out there and start off a game and get on base for guys,” he said. “I’m happy to be getting those at-bats.”

Nicholson said there isn’t another Firebird who has produced as much as the Washington native.

“He’s our best hitter right now,” the manager said. “He’s just a good, solid player.”

Although Eldredge Park is nearly 3,000 miles from his hometown of West Richland, Shupe said he has felt right at home playing for Orleans.

“I’m having a lot of fun out here,” Shupe said. “It’s been fun to play well against some really good competition, and I’ve been to the beach a few times and have found some lakes, so that’s been fun.”