Derry grad Josh Ulery beefs up numbers while shouldering big responsibilities for UPJ baseball

Derry grad Josh Ulery already was a fixture in the Pitt-Johnstown baseball lineup. Over his first two seasons with the Mountain Cats, he started 67 of a possible 75 games.

In his sophomore season, he raised his batting average by more than 30 points from his freshman year, increased his number of hits, runs, extra-base hits and RBIs.

Still, Ulery felt there was more production to be mined. So he decided that the best thing to do would be to put a little more mass on his frame.

“I had to put on some weight,” he said. “I was not where I needed to be in that department. Basically just (ate) more of everything.”

Between a more diligent weightlifting regimen and plenty of his mother’s home cooking, Ulery achieved the desired result. The evidence came in the first game of the season, when he homered in his first at-bat against Concord.

Heading into May, he had hit only two other home runs since — one against PSAC West leader IUP on April 26 — but most of his other numbers had gone up. Entering the regular season’s final four games, Ulery was hitting .308, which was up from .299 last season, with 13 doubles, three triples, three homers and 33 RBIs.

His RBI total, which led the team, is more than his first two seasons combined, and his 13 doubles, also tops on UPJ, are more than twice as many as he had in his first two seasons combined.

Besides the added bulk, Ulery said he also made a slight change in his batting approach, keeping his hands back and trying keep his swing from getting too long.

“I think part of it, too, is just not trying to do too much at the plate,” he said. “I’m not going up there trying to hit home runs. I’m just trying to hit a single, which a lot of times can turn into a double or a ball in the gap. I just stay within myself.

“Nine times out of 10, (hitting a home run) is not my game plan. I just go out there trying to get a base hit and get on base.”

Todd Williams, in his 27th season as the Mountain Cats’ coach, appreciates the work Ulery has put into his offense. He said it is a tribute to how steady and reliable Ulery has been during his two-plus seasons on the team.

“He’s one of those very dependable kids you never have to worry about,” Williams said. “He has learned to go with some pitches and take them opposite field, which comes with time, practice and repetition.”

As steady as Ulery has been for the Mountain Cats, his deployment within their defense has been in flux.

Ulery is a natural middle infielder, but in his first season at UPJ, there were a couple of more experienced players who had locked down those spots. Ulery, however, showed enough promise that Williams wanted him to be in the lineup, so he inserted him at third base.

“Third base, I don’t really mind playing it,” Ulery said. “When the ball is hit hard to me, I don’t really have time to think about it. Just make the play. But it’s definitely my least favorite of the three.”

“The three” he referred to are the three positions he has played at UPJ. Last season, he moved over to second base and played well, committing only six errors in 43 games for a .958 fielding percentage.

This season, he is at shortstop. It is a notoriously difficult position to play, one that requires a sure glove, quick reflexes, range and a strong throwing arm. Ulery admitted he has had his share of struggles at the position, posting a .921 fielding percentage.

He calls many of his errors “dumb mistakes,” such as throwing errors. As far as what has caused his difficulties in the field. Ulery said he can’t put his finger on a specific issue.

Williams, however, is undaunted. He said he is confident Ulery has all the tools to be a more reliable shortstop.

“He attacks the ball defensively. He’s aggressive,” Williams said. “He can get to the ball in the hole, and his arm strength has developed to the point that he can make the throws very routinely now.”

Perhaps more than any skill Ulery possesses, what Williams likes most about him is his fearless attitude. In addition to playing arguably the most difficult position on the field, Ulery also bats third in the Mountain Cats’ lineup.

Those are big responsibilities for anyone, but Williams said Ulery is just the man for the job.

“He does not back away from anything,” Williams said. “He’s a go-getter. He’s not afraid of the competition.”

Added Ulery: “That’s what you dream of is to be the shortstop and hitting third. That’s what I want, and that’s what I want to keep doing.”

What Ulery also would like to do is win more. The Mountain Cats have had their share of bobbles this season, sitting at 7-17 in the PSAC West at the end of April. That mark is even more painful considering how close the team is to .500.

In conference, UPJ has dropped four one-run games and a two-run game. Three of those one-run losses came in a four-game span — with a one-run loss to Shippensburg of the PSAC East thrown in — and two of those were in extra innings. Included in that bunch was a 5-4, eight-inning loss to perennial power Seton Hill.

“We have the talent and ability,” Ulery said. “We just don’t put it together — pitching, hitting, fielding — all in one game. When we do, we win. When we don’t, we just don’t have success.”

The Mountain Cats did put it all together in splitting four games with IUP at the end of April, taking the last two by 2-0 and 2-1 scores. That’s a trend Ulery hopes will carry over into his final season.

For himself, Ulery said he will continue to try to get stronger and refine his skills further in hopes of ending on the best note possible.

This season has been a big step in the right direction for him personally. He wants to see it all come together for his senior season.

“I’m definitely happier than where I was last year (with my game),” he said.

“But I would like to see the team do better. That’s really my main goal. The personal goals will come with the team.”