nervous wreck. "Right now," said State third All he has done this season is get baseman Pete Young, Grayum's at least one hit in 25 consecutive roommate and best friend, "he feels games, breaking the single-season like when he steps to the plate he's school record streak of 24 games set going to get a hit every time. It's like, by Bob Kocol in 1979. 'c'mon, throw it in here, I'll hit it.'" All Grayum did last week was get Grayum's streak began in State's 11 hits in 25 at bats, drive in 15 runs second game of the season. It ended and hit home runs in four consecu- Wednesday, when he went 0-for-5 in tive games. the first game of a doubleheader All Grayum has done in State's against New Orleans. first 28 games is hit .353, drive in 42 There were some close calls along runs and knock out 11 home runs. the way. In game 16, against HaSo Richie, what about those waii, Grayum went hitless his first nerves? four at-bats. In his final trip, he hit a "When you're hot," Grayum said pitch off his fists that blooped over with a shrug, "I swear things just go the shortstop. right for you." "It was a hit," Grayum said. "I didn't hit the ball hard, and earlier I had hit it hard and made some outs, but that's the way a streak goes.' The streak surprised at least one Bulldog. "He's not your classic hittingstreak guy," State coach Ron Polk said. "He's not particularly fast, so he's not going to leg out many hits. And he doesn't get many ground ball hits. "The thing is, he's hit some home runs and he's gotten a lot of line drives. He's not striking out and he's done a good job of adjusting at the plate with two strikes. He's been down 0-and-2 or 1-and-2 and he's swing and MSU From 1D shortened up his the ball in play." just put and pitcher Bobby Grayum credits his ability to adjust to his three years at State since coming out of Clay High School in Green Cove Springs, Fla. "When I was in high school," Grayum said, "I played the game, but I didn't know the game. I've learned the game now." In three years, Grayum has quietly posted the best composite numbers on the team, all the while shuffling roles, from DH to left field to third base, where he fills in when Young takes the mound. While some of his teammates Young, center fielder Jody Hurst Reed to name a Grayum had 60 of them last year, few - have gotten more publicity, a school record. He has whiffed 22 Grayum has done better than any of times this season. them in State's record book. He is tied with John Mitchell for Nothing eats at Grayum more fourth the home chart than the strikeouts, especially if he on career run with 34, behind Rafael Palmeiro, doesn't get his cuts in. Striking out Will Clark and Bruce Castoria. He without taking three good swings, to ranks sixth on the career RBI list Grayum, "wasting an at-bat," and is with 144, behind Palmeiro, Clark, Grayum thinks every at-bat is a priCastoria, Brad Winkler and Mitch- velege he should take full advantage of. ell. Grayum said he spied his named Lately, he hasn't missed many in the media guide before the season chances. began. "It was kind of neat to see my Said in there in besides Grayum: "My confidence is name something at an all-time high here.' the strikeouts," he said. Ah, the strikeouts. That should help him relax.