One year ago, no one would have expected Marisa Bast, a .287 hitter, to emerge as the dominant player in the Big Ten.
Yet the sophomore third baseman currently leads the conference in batting average (.429), ranks tied for second in home runs (10) and has improved her statistics across the board.
Coach Kate Drohan said Bast’s success is propelled in part by her work ethic and consistency.
“She has been ‘Steady Eddie,'” Drohan said. “There hasn’t been much fanfare around it, but I’ll tell you, she’s done a great job preparing, she works hard every single day and she loves to hit.”
After last season, Bast said she knew there was room for improvement. Like all Northwestern players, Bast worked closely with associate head coach Caryl Drohan – Kate’s sister – to devise a strategy at the plate. Her plan involves increased patience, as well as an elaborate approach to each at-bat.
“My first at-bat of the game, I’m zoning a side of the plate,” Bast said. “If she doesn’t throw it there, then I take it. Until I get two strikes, I’m going to keep that same approach. Once I have two strikes, I open up my zone a little bit more … I’m going to be patient. I’ll take a walk. I’ll take a hit by pitch, whatever.”
She said adjusting to pitchers’ tendencies is crucial.
“If I start seeing sequences that she’s throwing me, I’m just going to get smarter each at-bat,” Bast said.
The young NU pitching staff sits near the bottom of the Big Ten statistically, but the Cats have been able to compensate on offense with 34 home runs, tied for second in the conference.
Kate praised her sister’s commitment to improving team hitting, whether through feedback or video analysis, two integral parts of helping batters improve.
“If you want to be an All-American you have to work like that every day, ” she said. “Caryl just does a great job communicating with our hitters and helping them to really understand their swing.”
Bast in particular has provided necessary protection for former All-American Adrienne Monka. Last year, Monka posted a .707 on-base percentage, the highest in NU history. After Monka drew a walk in Sunday’s series rubber match against Iowa, Bast lined a homer over the right field wall, helping the Cats put the Hawkeyes away, 12-6.
The high on-base percentage was not necessarily a positive. Pitchers walked her to avoid facing the slugger. Monka hit an incredible .461 but had just 89 official at-bats in 43 games, and her 10 home runs marked a career low. Monka said Bast has shown her versatility as a hitter throughout the season.
“She’s been really consistent in all kinds of situations, getting base hits or getting us those big home runs,” the senior first baseman said. “She’s been great to have hitting behind me.”
Along with her improved, patient approach to hitting, Bast attributed some of her success to a growing belief in her hitting ability.
“I’ve been getting more confident at the plate and trusting myself more than I ever have,” Bast said.
Bast will hope to showcase her confidence when NU (16-20, 4-5) hosts Minnesota (22-14, 3-6) this weekend in a three-game series at Sharon J. Drysdale Field. The Cats are looking to win their third straight series and can hit the .500 mark with at least two wins against the Golden Gophers.
