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Merrifield a hit for USC
Sophomore continues family legacy while increasing his power numbers this year
Whit Merrifield is congratulated on a home run against Long Beach State earlier this season.
Kim Kim Foster-Tobin/kkfoster@thestate.com
CommentsThe three most important letters in Whit Merrifield’s first name have to be H-I-T. That is all the sophomore center fielder has done since first putting on a USC uniform a year ago.
Of course, those three letters have plenty of significance in the Merrifield family. His 8-year-old brother is named Hite.
And their father?
He is Bill Merrifield, a former All-American shortstop at Wake Forest and ACC player of the year twice while batting .389 in 1982 and .476 in 1983. His .400 career average ranks third in ACC history.
That’s a lot of hits — which he has passed on to his sons in his own unique way.
“You could call it a coincidence, but I think he knew what he was doing,” Whit said about he and his brother having “hit” in their first names.
Bill swears it is a coincidence. His wife Kissy’s maiden name is Hite, and the last name of his best friend from high school is Whitley.
But Whit is proving bloodlines mix well with baselines. He batted .326 as a freshman starter and is hitting .333 this season. Yet he has a ways to go to catch up with the old man.
“Coach Tanner kids me about how I’ll never be as good of a hitter as my dad,” Whit said.
Tanner would know. He saw Bill Merrifield play while he was an assistant coach at N.C. State. Tanner also knew he really wanted Whit to wear garnet and black and personally recruited him.
“Whit Merrifield is a baseball player — period. He has all the intangibles and maturity beyond his years,” Tanner said. “I knew his makeup and character were going to be solid. I’ve been ecstatic with what he’s been able to do. He’s a joy.”
Recruited as a second baseman to replace Travis Jones, Whit’s athletic ability instead got him moved to center his first season because of the team’s needs at that position. He didn’t care where he played; he just wanted to be on the field.
It is an attitude that has served him well at USC as he has moved between the infield and outfield this season, and one that will serve him well as he looks to play professionally in the future.
“That’s something my dad always preached: The more versatile you can be, the longer you’ll be able to play,” Whit said.
After starting this season in the No. 2 spot in the order, Whit was moved to leadoff for the Mississippi series. He responded with a 5-for-6 performance, which included a double and a triple, to help USC win the first game of the series.
“He definitely killed us that weekend,” Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco said.
Bianco knew Merrifield could run and bunt, but he was more impressed with the increased pop in his bat, noting his progression into a line-drive hitter with gap power.
“With him at the top setting the table, they’re a much better team,” Bianco said.
Merrifield has compiled more doubles (11-9), triples (3-1), home runs (7-3) and RBIs (33-26) than he did all of last season, when he started every game but one.
“I’ve got the same swing, but I’ve gotten stronger,” the 6-foot, 165-pound Whit said. “I knew that would come, and it’s going to keep progressing as I get bigger and stronger.”
Bill cites Whit’s maturation as a hitter and the studious nature he brings to his at-bats.
“He’s comfortable enough at the plate to look pitch, look location. When he gets what he wants, he’s hitting it on the button,” Bill said.
This comes from a guy who hit more than a few balls on the button. Whit considered attending Wake Forest, but Bill is glad his son found his own way.
“He didn’t want to play in the ACC because of me and my name. He wanted to make his own name,” Bill said.
And Whit loves that his dad comes to nearly every game to support him as he continues to pile up his own hits — 134 and counting.
Reach White at (803) 771-8643.
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