Kasen Bellard is learning to be patient.
After two not-so-satisfying seasons at the University of Louisiana and a hope-filled future at Nicholls, Bellard is using his second stint as an outfielder with the Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators to learn how to be more patient at the plate.
Whatever he’s doing, it’s obviously working.
After two weeks of play, the former Barbe standout is leading the entire Texas Collegiate League in hitting. He’s batting .500 with 32 plate appearances. He also has five RBIs, seven runs, five stolen bases and a home run.
“That is something I’ve actually just started this summer,” Bellard said. “My last two years at UL I was a very aggressive hitter. I would get myself out a lot. That’s just being immature. Now, that’s pretty much how I’m going to take my game to the next level – be patient, wait for something I can just drive.”
“Kasen’s done a really good job of identifying what pitches he handles well,” said Gators coach James Landreneau. “He’s patient at the plate. I guess the biggest thing right now with him is decision making. He’s swinging at good pitches. He’s a hard-working kid with a high I.Q. That’s what separates him right now.”
Landreneau said Bellard is also surprisingly speedy on the basepaths.
“I do like to run” Bellard said. “It’s fun stealing bases and it helps the team.”
Bellard said he is happy to be a part of the Gumbeaux Gators while honing his skills.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for our coach. He’s really pushing us to be the best players we can be, and he’s really helped me a lot to get back to myself. The fans are great. It’s always great to play home games. We have good chemistry. We’ve got a bunch of guys from Louisiana and a couple from Texas. We all just get along really well.”
Bellard was hoping to be more help to the Ragin’ Cajuns, but things didn’t go exactly as planned.
“I didn’t get the playing time that I hoped for,” he said. “It was a lot of pinch-hit at- bats late in the game. I just didn’t really get the opportunity to showcase my skills like I would have liked.”
So, after two seasons, Bellard put himself in the transfer portal and found a new home not so far away from home in Thibodaux. Bellard committed to the Colonels just last week.
“Nicholls is going to give me the opportunity to be the player that I want to be,” Bellard said. “I really liked the coaches. They believe in me a lot. They think I can be a really great player for their program.”
As he struggled at UL, Bellard said he had to lean on his faith to get through the tough times.
“Putting everything in God’s hands helped me a lot,” he said. “My years at UL, I struggled a lot and put a lot of weight on my shoulders. I just let go and let God and that let me learn to love to play a kid’s game again.”
By Lori Lyons