JETHAWKS REPORT : Brundage Right: Lineup a Hit

So far the Lancaster JetHawks have proved that Manager Dave Brundage knew his personnel.

“I said before the season we’d hit for a high average,” Brundage said Friday. “We may not have a lot of power and hit the big three-run home run. But we can get a lot of singles and doubles.”

The JetHawks improved their league-leading batting average to .304 with Thursday night’s 16-run, 14-hit outburst. The team is getting production throughout the lineup.

No. 8 hitter Jason Cook entered Friday’s game hitting .407, and the No. 9 hitters--Luis Molina (.308) and Mike Lanza (six for 10)--have contributed.

“That’s a big thing if you don’t have to depend on the Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 hitters every night,” Brundage said.

“When your No. 9 guy is going four for five and your No. 8 guy is hitting .407, you are bound to score some runs.”

The top of the order also has been productive with Marcus Sturdivant (.389), Shane Monahan (.308) and Jose Cruz Jr. (.412). No. 5 hitter Carlos Villalobos, who earned his first start in the cleanup spot Friday, was hitting .306.

As for consistency, Sturdivant had hit in all seven games in which he has played, Cook, Cruz, Villalobos and Monahan had hit in seven of eight, and Molina in five of six.

Today’s game:

JetHawks (Brett Hinchliffe, 0-0) at High Desert (Joey Rhodes, 0-0), 2:05 p.m.