Baseball: Bowman’s turn – For Brian Bowman, one line seems to sum it up

Tim Buckley, Daily Advertiser, Mar. 1, 2012

"I’ve just been patient," he said.

The UL centerfield was talking about the key to his newfound success at the plate.

But the fifth-year senior outfielder could just as easily have been talking about his career with the Ragin’ Cajuns, which is taking shape after four long seasons spent waiting to break out.

As a redshirt sophomore in 2010, Bowman started 25 of the season’s first 27 games — then was limited by a wrist injury to eight appearances, mostly as a pinch-runner, the rest of the season.

A season ago, the Lafayette High product played in just 21 games — and managed only one hit in 20 at-bats.

Lately, however, he’s on a tear.

Bowman has appeared in each of the 5-3 Cajuns’ games so far in 2012, including three straight starts — leading off, and playing in centerfield — in a pair of wins last weekend over Towson University and Tuesday’s night win over Alcorn State.

He has six hits in 16 at-bats — five more hits, obviously, than a season ago — and four RBIs.

His .375 batting average ranks third among early season Cajun leaders, trailing only first baseman Chase Compton (.500) and shortstop Ryan Leonards (.414).

And Bowman’s bases-loaded bunt in the bottom of the eighth inning snapped a 4-4 tie and proved to be the game-winner for UL in a 6-4 home victory over Alcorn State on Tuesday night, proving that sometimes waiting really does pay.

"You never know when your name is going to be called," Bowman said. "But being here five years now, I’ve gotten used to it. You just have to be ready "» to help your team in any way possible."

Key to doing just that the past week or so has simply been getting on base.

With six steals in seven attempts this season, and four runs scored, the speedy Bowman clearly is a base-running threat.

And it wasn’t just his run-scoring bunt against Alcorn State that made a difference, either; he managed to reach first on the play, helping allow UL an insurance run thanks to an ensuing bases-loaded walk of shortstop Ryan Leonards.

"I’ve always believed "» he (Bowman) can create havoc on the bases," Cajuns coach Tony Robichaux said Wednesday.

Without hits or walks, however, there rarely is havoc.

"He knows that you can’t steal first base. It’s impossible," said Robichaux, whose Cajuns take their four-game win streak to San Antonio this weekend for games Friday against Gonzaga, Saturday against Kansas and Sunday against host UT-San Antonio at the UTSA Classic.

"(But) he’s learning now to reach first base — (and) once he can get to first, he’s really hard to defend going into second and third.

"He’s done a great job being able to put the ball in play, get the ball out of the air — because a ball in the air negates his speed, and a strikeout negates his speed."

An altered swing honed last fall with the help of assistant coach Mike Trahan — replete with much more leg kick — has helped Bowman get on base in 2012.

And all six of his hits this season have been singles, testament that sometimes simply putting bat to ball produces big-time results.

He’s even hitting the breaking ball this season, which hasn’t always been the case.

"I feel like I have a lot more rhythm," Bowman said. "It allows me to see the ball a lot better, and just stay loose."

The biggest difference for Bowman, though, may be the one that comes with persistence, perseverance and plenty of patience.

And time, too.

"I have more sense of what (pitchers) are gonna throw me," he said. "Being here for five years, you kind of get to expect what pitch is coming."

As a result, Bowman is not just making the most of his final season with the Cajuns.

He’s also savoring every second of it.

And why not?

"It’s my last year," Bowman said. "I love this place. I’m just trying to have fun. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I love my teammates and coaches, the fans. The atmosphere here is great. It’s incredible "» and I’m blessed to be able to experience it here."