LIVE OAK, Fla.  — It was only a matter of time for a player as talented as Hueston Morrill.

After a slow start at the plate this season, the Oklahoma State commit is hitting .583 (7 for 12) in Suwannee’s last four games. He’s upped to his average to .289, and has made the Bulldogs’ lineup even more dangerous, getting on base consistently with a potent middle of the order behind him. 

“Hitting is all about confidence and timing. Hueston is riding a high right now,” said SHS coach Justin Bruce. “He’s coming to the plate knowing he can get on any time he wants to. That’s something as a player you have to have on your mind — that nobody is going to beat you.”

For Morrill, a junior, it hasn’t been a drastic change in his approach or tinkering with mechanics that’s made the difference. He’s used a simple approach during his four-game hitting streak. 

“I’ve been hitting the fastball early, recognizing curve-ball counts, and hitting the ball where it’s pitched,” Morrill said. “Staying simple and getting the ball through holes — that’s been working for me the past few games.”

Working in Suwannee’s favor has been Morrill’s ability to create runs. In the Bulldogs’ last four games, he’s stolen seven bases and scored six runs.

Morrill can do a lot of different things on the diamond, as he has proved this season. He’s moved around the infield — playing either third base or second base depending on when Zane Stephens pitches — and has seen action on the mound as both a starter and reliever.  

Morrill came on in relief of Kyle Gamble and pitched two scoreless innings against Baker County on Friday. Morrill is 2-1 on the bump this season with a 2.52 ERA in 16 2-3 innings pitched. 

“Hueston can do a little bit of everything,” Gamble said. “With him hitting leadoff, you know he’s going to get on base. He’s heating up.”

A little bit of everything also includes some power at the plate. Three of Morrill’s 11 hits have been for extra bases, which included a home run to lead off the game against Lafayette on Feb. 28. Even though he has the pop to hit in the middle of the order, Bruce knows the best spot in the lineup for Morrill is at leadoff.

“He could be the guy that could hit in the middle of the order, but what he offers speed-wise and instinct-wise — it’s a no-brainer to have him at the top to set the tone,” Bruce said. “His baseball instincts are something you can’t coach.”

Morrill is hoping to use those baseball instincts to help Suwannee finish strong as the Bulldogs look forward to district play, the second half of the season and the playoffs. 

“We love to play the best competition,” Morrill said. “The expectations are high. We’re going to have to play our best baseball and keep our high-level intensity.”