Beasley and Emerson – West Boca’s dynamic duo

Published April 6th, 2008

By Mario Sarmento
SPORTS EDITOR

West Boca Raton baseball coach Brian Joros calls them “Thunder and Lightning,” and they might be the two catalysts for a deep postseason run for the Bulls.

Their names are Marcus Beasley and Cody Emerson, both transfers who arrived at West Boca at the same time, both at the top of the order in the

No. 1 and No. 2 positions in the lineup. And both are charged with getting the Bulls offense started each game.

“They’re both fast and they put pressure on the other team,” Joros said.

“The first baseman is forced to play on the grass because they know that at any time they can drop one down. They both are great on the bases, they’re both quick.”

Each played a big role in consecutive nights to lead the Bulls to the National

Grand Slam final for the first time in school history.

In Wednesday’s semifinal win over Wellington, Emerson ripped a two-run double to left to break open a 1-0 game. Beasley, who had reached earlier on an error, scored the Bulls’ fourth run on a double by pinch hitter Eric Schaffer.

The previous night, Beasley delivered the biggest hit of the tournament for the Bulls when he broke a 3-3 tie against Evanston Township with a solo home run over the left field wall.

It was his second high school home run, and his first of the season for the Bulls.

“I just honestly got lucky,” Beasley said, to which his running mate Emerson added an emphatic “Yes!”

Beasley said, “I was actually trying to hit it to right center because I know I have great hitters behind me. I knew if I got on, I was going to get moved over by Cody and Brian (Busch) would definitely score me. But kid threw it inside and I just turned on it.”

The home run threw off the natural routine the two have engaged in during the late innings all year.

“This is how it happens every time,” Emerson said. “Beasley gets on in the last inning, I end up bunting and then Busch comes in. So I’m sitting there getting ready to bunt and then Beasley just hits a shot.”

Beasley and Emerson are both hitting above .350, and the Bulls as a team are batting over .300. Busch is one of those who believes the pair have made a difference in the lineup.

“Beasley, as soon as he gets on base you know he’s going to be on second, and eventually on third,” Busch said.

Beasley and Emerson also provide solid defense at the shortstop and center field positions, respectively. But most importantly, they give the Bulls an attitude at the top of the order.

“They’re both gamers, they both love to play, they both play really, really hard, and that’s contagious,” Joros said.

The Bulls already knew what they had in Emerson, who played at West Boca as a freshman before transferring to Atlantic last year. This year, he transferred back to the Bulls because he said he thought he could play a role in what he hopes will be a special season.

Beasley enrolled at West Boca after attending Suncoast last year, and he enjoys the way Emerson keeps team spirits high during the long grind of the season.

“I’ve never seen this kid without a smile, he definitely gets the team up,” Beasley said.

Joros said the team is hitting at about the same rate it was last season, but he added that Beasley and Emerson are definitely the best 1-2 punch the school has ever had at the top of the order.