McKinney North catcher is settled in the city
06:35 PM CDT on Wednesday, April 16, 2008
By DAVID HINOJOSA / The Dallas Morning News
dhinojosa@dallasnews.com
McKINNEY – McKinney North senior catcher Trey Sorrells has proven that a country boy can survive in the city.
OK. Maybe McKinney doesn't exactly qualify as a burgeoning metropolis, but "it is, definitely compared to where I came from," Sorrells said.
Sorrells, who moved to McKinney two years ago, grew up on a secluded, 80-acre ranch in Merit, Texas, about 15 miles northwest of Greenville.
No more cows. No more horses. He doesn't have a baseball field – complete with backstop and base paths – in his front yard like he did in Merit.
And this: "There's no riding four-wheelers behind the house anymore."
Those are some of the adjustments Sorrells has made since transferring to McKinney North after two all-district seasons at Greenville.
After not playing to his expectations last season, Sorrells has regained his form and is helping McKinney North's quest to win a fifth straight district championship. McKinney and McKinney North are tied for first at 9-2.
"A lot of guys have ups and downs and are streaky," McKinney North coach Jim Gatewood said. "But he's not been that. He's been a [steady] force at the plate, and defensively, I think he's the best catcher in our league."
Sorrells leads the team in batting average (.518) and RBIs (34). Yet outside the district circles, he goes relatively unnoticed with college-bound teammates outfielder/first baseman Nico Taylor (Arizona) and pitcher Matt Lackie (Louisiana-Lafayette) snagging most of the attention.
"He's been hidden in the shadows," Gatewood said. "Everyone knows that Nico and Lackie get a lot of the press, but he's worked hard behind the scenes, busted his tail and is having a great year for us."
Sorrells has signed with Jefferson College, a junior college in Hillsboro, Mo. He hopes to land a Division I scholarship after two seasons there.
With his college plans cemented, Sorrells is relaxed. He's also returned to his old position. He injured his knee before last season and ended up playing second base for the first time. He played well enough to be named first-team all-district, but his .311 average and 15 RBIs fell short of his expectations.
"I tried too hard and put pressure on myself," Sorrells said. "It hurt me."
Gatewood recognized that Sorrells was struggling to make the adjustment to a new position and new team.
"He was trying to prove himself," Gatewood said. "You see a lot of people press in that situation, especially when they don't get off to a good start."
Sorrells was determined not to let that happen again. He said he came into the season in the best shape of his life. It's no coincidence that his numbers have dramatically improved.
"You have to get better every year no matter how good you think you're doing," Sorrells said. "You just never know what's ahead. I haven't been the real big publicity guy. But I'm happy where I am right now. I feel like I'm going down a pretty good road."
Lake Dallas (9-12, 4-7 9-4A) at McKinney North (14-5-2, 9-2), 7:30 p.m. Friday
TREY SORRELLS
School, class: McKinney North, senior
Position: Catcher
Age: 18
Athlete he admires: The Blue Jays' David Eckstein. "Everyone told him that he wouldn't amount to anything because of his size. He just kept playing, and things worked out for him."
Favorite movie: The Longest Yard, Adam Sandler version.
Favorite music: Early to mid 1990s country music. "Some of the new country is a little too rock."
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