Like explosives, power often resides in small packages. Thirteen-year-old little leaguer Cole Ahearn is the perfect example.
While his Coronado Gold Juniors (11-2) took a rare loss to Tanque Verde last week, the small-statured catcher drove two flyouts deep into the grass, before legging out an infield single.
“I don’t really know,” Ahearn said. “I’ve always been able to hit it really far for my size.”
Tanque Verde’s bullet-train pitcher wasn’t the only opponent Ahearn faced. Twice weekly, he receives injections in the hip to offset an onset of juvenile arthritis that sidelined him five months last fall. During that time, Ahearn showed up to every game and cheered his teammates.
“It feels really good now,” he said.
Ahearn’s dead set on making Ironwood Ridge’s team in a couple years — hoping his steam might carry all the way to the big leagues some day. Considering Ahearn’s .970 contact and .500 on-base percentages, Coronado Gold coach Paul Dunn is simply amazed.
“He’s one of those kids,” Dunn said. “He’s a speed demon and he never strikes out. He’ll hit the devil out of that thing.”
