Drew Burress, Georgia Tech Freshman, Hits Four Homers In A Game
Image credit: (Photo courtesy of Georgia Tech)
Georgia Tech freshman Drew Burress on Tuesday hit four home runs in a 10-0 victory against Georgia State, setting the program’s single-game record and continuing his torrid start to the season.
Burress led off the game with a home run to left center. He homered to left center again to lead off the third inning and drew a walk in the fourth. The righthanded hitter went the opposite way in the sixth inning for his third homer of the day and then set the program record with a blast to left center in the eighth.
Burress is the first player this season to hit four home runs in a game. Two players did it last season – Mississippi’s Calvin Harris and Texas State’s Chase Mora.
Tuesday was the latest chapter in a sensational start to the season for Burress. He is hitting .441/.512/1.382 and now leads the nation with nine home runs. The freshman has been pounding the baseball so far and of his 15 hits, just one is a single. In addition to his home runs, he also has five doubles.
Listed at 5-foot-9, 182 pounds, Burress doesn’t look like the nation’s leading slugger. But he produces outstanding bat speed and has done a good job of squaring up the ball.
While Burress’ current home run pace is unsustainable and Georgia Tech (7-1) has not played the toughest schedule, it would be a mistake to downplay his start to the season. Burress was well known to scouts in high school and likely would not have made it through the draft it he were a bit bigger. So, while it’s a surprise that he has nine home runs, his smooth transition to college baseball and success at the level is not.
Additionally, Burress’ early season home run binge calls to mind Tommy White’s two years ago at N.C. State. He homered three times on Opening Day and hit nine home runs in his first eight games. Like Burress, he had a strong prep track record but didn’t fit the profile of hitter who is taken in the first couple rounds out of high school. White finished the season with 27 home runs.
Comparing Burress to White, one of college baseball’s most prolific power hitters of the 21st century, might be lofty at this stage. But that’s the kind of company the freshman is keeping. He’ll get the chance to go head-to-head with another of college baseball’s premier power hitters this weekend, as he and Georgia Tech take on Georgia and Preseason All-American Charlie Condon in a three-game series.
