Sophomore Jake Ring is Missouri’s spark plug.
He knows how to get on base. He’s worked a team-leading 28 walks and his .399 on-base percentage leads the team as well. He knows how to find the gaps. Ring’s 15 doubles are four better than the next best on the team. Perhaps most importantly, Ring has been an exemplary run producer in pressure situations.
“With two outs, RBI situations, he’s money,” Missouri coach Tim Jamieson said. “He’s balanced and hits the ball hard. He’s very confident hitting in that situation.”
Jamieson said Ring has been great at the plate with two outs all year. During a May 1 game against Ole Miss, Ring came up with a clutch two-out single that proved to be the difference maker in a 4-2 victory.
Ring said he always tries to be aggressive in the box. His crucial hit against Ole Miss came on a three-two, inside pitch. Ring said he was sitting opposite field and was able to connect with the ball and send it onto the outfield grass.
Ring also stroked two doubles during that game, one to either outfield gap. He said he’s been working on hitting for power and has been able to change his approach at the plate and produce solid extra-base hit numbers this year.
“I’ve been able to keep my barrell long through the zone,” Ring said. “It seems to be working out for me.”
He’s hit three home runs this year and two triples along with his 15 doubles. Ring’s .293 batting average is third on the team but he’s collected the most total bases with 81. Ring is also one of only five Tigers to have started every game this season.
Ring credited Missouri hitting coach Hunter Mense with helping him improve at the plate this year. He said that he and Hunter worked hard during the offseason to mend any flaws in his swing and make sure he was realizing his full potential as a batter.
“Confidence, I just build off that,” Ring said. “Confidence is what I strive off of. Hunter’s been a blessing to me.”